United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank has directed all banks to ensure that inward remittances are credited to customers’ accounts on the same day they are received, in a major move to improve service for expatriates and their families. The central bank issued a circular on Thursday (January 08, 2026), saying the directive aims to reduce delays, enhance efficiency in the payment process and improve the overall quality of customer service. According to the circular, the new instructions will take effect immediately. However, banks have been given time until March, 2026 to fully put in place the required technical infrastructure. Read more: Forex reserves hit 3-year high as December remittances cross $3bn Under the new guidelines, remittances received during banking hours must be credited on the same working day, while those received after banking hours must be credited no later than the next working day. To speed up processing, Bangladesh Bank advised banks to adopt Straight-Through Processing (STP) or other risk-based expedited methods. If essential information is available, banks are encouraged to credit the funds first and complete the remaining documentation or verification formalities later. In cases where post-credit review is not possible, banks must complete verification and settle the transaction within a maximum of three working days. To improve transparency, the central bank has also made it mandatory to use a Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference (UETR), which will allow digital tracking of remittances from receipt to final credit. In addition, Bangladesh Bank plans to strengthen digital foreign currency platforms to gradually eliminate manual paperwork, including Form C and Form C (ICT). The business community has welcomed the initiative, saying it will boost customer confidence and align Bangladesh’s remittance system with global best practices. Read more: Remittances hit $2.93 billion in 28 days of December Arif Hossain Kahan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, said the move is a positive step towards modernisation. “There are many operational challenges during the transition but the focus on digital tracking and faster settlement is essential for the future of our economy,” he said.

A bank account holder can withdraw cash up to two lakh taka a day for this week given the current security situation, according to a Bangladesh Bank circular. The central bank issued the instruction to the MDs of all commercial banks through SMS on Saturday. It will be effective from Sunday, the first working day of the week. Earlier on Thursday the maximum cash withdrawal limit was set at one lakh taka.    Read more: Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf resigns However, businesspeople can draw larger amount of cash for payment of salaries of employees ensuring security on their own, said the circular. The same is applicable for the expatriates. The central bank also asked banks to supervise that a person cannot withdraw money from multiple branches of banks in a day. This directive should be followed especially in the case of key political leaders. On Thursday, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) under the BB was ordered to report any amount of money withdrawn by a politically important person. The names of political leaders, bank chairmen, businessmen, secretaries, and senior police officers are on this list. Such instruction is given mainly to prevent any person from withdrawing money for criminal activity or escaping from the country. Read more: Bangladesh Bank operates without governor and deputy governors

Changing the previous day’s decision on closure of banks, Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday took a fresh decision that banks will operate from 10 am to 1 pm for general transactions from April 14 to April 21 during the 'all-out lockdown' declared by the government. The banks can remain open up to 2:30 pm for execution of other required activities, said a Bangladesh Bank circular, issued at 8 pm on Tuesday. They can keep one non-AD branch open within 2 km radius in the city corporation area and in upazila level one branch of each bank can open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday, it said.  Also read: People’s lives come first: PM Hasina The banks have to take measures to provide transport facilities for the staff during the period. The BB circular also said, during the banking transaction hours, the banks have to ensure different kinds of services including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, release of remittance, encashment of different instruments and also receipt of the payments of bills of different utilities.  BB said banks have to continue services like disbursement of loans, incentives, payment of salaries of different industries and also the purchase of export bills, loan sanction and distribution. Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued The banks have to follow instructions in keeping the branches located in the port areas about the coronavirus in discussion with the local administration and other authorities, as per circular issued on August 5 last year, it said. The banks have to operate their activities through limited staffs under a rostering. They have to ensure operation of the ATM booths to facilitate transaction through cards by supply of adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further order, said the circular.

Bangladesh Bank has further extended its relaxed loan repayment system until September 30 taking into consideration the impact of coronavirus on the country’s trade and business.

Bangladesh Bank has restricted banks on declaring dividend before September 30 this year and also on declaring more than 30 percent dividend in order to reduce the liquidity pressure in banking sector against the backdrop of coronavirus fallout.

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday challenging a Bangladesh Bank circular that fixed 9 percent loan interest.