United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank has allowed Bangladeshi startup businesses to invest up to US$ $10,000 or equivalent foreign currency to form a single company abroad. According to a circular issued by the central bank on Thursday, startup businesses in Bangladesh can send $10,000 to form a single company abroad. This permission has been granted under the Foreign Exchange Control Act, 1947. As a result, the resident companies can now send remittances to establish companies abroad by applying to the bank. Banks asked to shore up online services, keep ATMs full and secure before 9-day holiday According to the circular, Bangladeshi citizens at the individual level have been allowed to establish companies abroad in the same manner. In this case, the applicants must have innovative ideas, which will create opportunities for investment and income in Bangladesh, including expanding their business abroad. In addition to small-scale investments, Bangladesh Bank has allowed resident companies to invest abroad by swapping their own shares/securities with those of foreign companies. Bangladesh Bank lifts ban of foreign tour for NBFIs In this method, there will be no need for cash to invest abroad. In this system, when considering investment proposals abroad, the swap ratio of shares/securities must be consistent with global best practices, said the central bank circular.  

Keeping valuables at home carries risks like theft, fire, or misplacement. To ensure security, several banks in Bangladesh offer locker facilities, providing a safe place for important documents, jewellery, and other valuables. However, the bank locker charges and refundable security fees vary from bank to bank. Let’s take a look at the safety deposit box or locker services with associated charges in some renowned banks in Bangladesh in 2025. Bank Locker Services in 10 Popular Government-owned and Private Banks in Bangladesh Here the banks have been ranked alphabetically.  Agrani Bank PLC Agrani Bank provides Safe Deposit Locker services at many of its urban branches. In this state-owned commercial bank, customers can choose from Small, Medium, and Large lockers. The yearly charges are Tk 2,000 for Small, Tk 2,500 for Medium, and Tk 3,000 for Large lockers.  Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 2000 Medium 2500 Large 3000 A refundable key deposit of Tk 5,000 is required. The service is available to Savings and Current account holders. Customers can pay locker rent in advance and set up automatic deductions from their accounts. The bank ensures strong security measures for valuables stored in its lockers. Read more: Pensioner Sanchayapatra in Bangladesh: Revised profit rates in 2025 Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC Al-Arafah Islami Bank has been providing Safe Deposit Locker services for years, with 23 branches currently offering this facility. Lockers are available in small, medium, and large sizes. The annual rent is Tk 2,000 for Small, Tk 2,500 for Medium, and Tk 3,500 for Large lockers.  Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Security Deposit (BDT) Small 2000 10000 Medium 2500 12000 Large 3500 15000 Customers must deposit a refundable security fee. The annual security deposits for the small, medium, and large-sized lockers are 10,000 Tk, 12,000 Tk, and 15000 Tk, respectively. Key replacement costs Tk 2,500 in Dhaka and other locations. Lockers provide high-security storage for valuables, including documents and jewellery. Read more: 5-Year Bangladesh Sanchayapatra 2025: Revised Profit Rates City Bank PLC City Bank’s Safe Deposit Locker service ensures high-security storage for customers’ valuables. Available at select branches across major cities, the service is ideal for safeguarding jewellery, documents, and other assets. Lockers are available in three sizes: small (Tk. 5,500), medium (Tk. 7,500), and large (Tk. 9,500). Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 5,500 Medium 7,500 Large 9,500 Read more: 3-Monthly Profit-Bearing Sanchayapatra in Bangladesh: Revised Profit Rates in 2025 Dhaka Bank PLC Dhaka Bank offers secure locker facilities across various branches, ensuring top-level protection for valuables. Lockers are available in Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes. The annual charges for small, medium, large, and extra-large lockers are Tk 5,000, Tk 7,000, Tk 9,000, and Tk 14,000, respectively. Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 5000 Medium 7000 Large 9000 Extra Large 14000 A refundable security deposit of Tk 5,000 is required. Lockers are available in Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, Uttara, Chattogram, Sylhet, and other key locations. Customers can conveniently pay the rent through direct debit from their deposit accounts. Read more: Paribar Sanchayapatra 2025: Revised profit rates of Family Savings Certificate in Bangladesh IFIC Bank PLC IFIC Bank offers locker services with enhanced security and confidentiality. Lockers come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The annual rent is Tk 5,000 for small, Tk 10,000 for medium, and Tk 12,000 for large lockers. Customers must pay a refundable security deposit equal to the annual rent.  To avail of the service, an individual or business entity must maintain a current or savings account with IFIC Bank. Rent payments are directly deducted from the customer’s account, providing a hassle-free experience. Lockers are available at multiple branches nationwide. Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 5,000 Medium 10,000 Large 12,000 Read more: Sanchayapatra interest rate revised: New profit rates of Bangladesh National Savings Certificate in 2025 Janata Bank PLC Janata Bank offers Safe Deposit Lockers across most of its branches in Bangladesh. This state-owned bank offer Small, Medium, and Large safety deposit boxes or lockers. The annual rent is Tk 2,000 for Small, Tk 3,000 for Medium, and Tk 5,000 for Large lockers. A refundable locker key security deposit of Tk 5,000 is required for all sizes.  Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Security Deposit (BDT) Small 2000 5000 Medium 3000 Large 5000 Locker services are available to individual and business account holders. Rent is payable in advance, and customers can conveniently set up standing orders for automatic payments. The service ensures high security and ease of access. Read more: Sanchayapatra at Maturity: Encashment or Renewal of Bangladesh’s National Savings Certificate Pubali Bank PLC Pubali Bank offers Safe Deposit Lockers to ensure the security of customers’ valuables. Lockers are available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. The annual charges are Tk 2,000 for Small, Tk 3,000 for Medium, and Tk 5,000 for Large lockers.  Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 2000 Medium 3000 Large 5000 To avail of this service, customers must have a Savings, Current, or Short Notice Deposit account in the respective branch. Lockers are rented for a minimum period of one year. The bank ensures strict confidentiality and security, making it a trusted choice for locker services. Read more: How to Invest in Bonds: A Comprehensive Guide Standard Bank PLC Standard Bank offers lockers in Small, Medium, and Large sizes at competitive rates. The annual rent is Tk 3,000 for Small, Tk 4,000 for Medium, and Tk 6,000 for Large lockers. A refundable security deposit equivalent to one year’s rent is required. The service is available at select branches, ensuring customers can store valuables safely.  Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 3000 Medium 4000 Large 6000 Locker holders can nominate family members for easy access in emergencies. Payments can be made conveniently through automatic deductions from the customer’s account. Read more: How to Buy Bangladesh Government Treasury Bond: Everything You Need to Know Sonali Bank PLC Sonali Bank PLC offers a secure locker service in 54 branches, allowing customers to safeguard their valuables. In this government-owned commercial bank, safety deposit boxes or lockers are available in three sizes: small (4.7" x 7" x 23.50"), medium (4.7" x 14.33" x 23.50"), and large (9.4" x 14.33" x 23.50"). A refundable security deposit of Tk. 5,000 is required. The annual charges are 2500 Tk, 3000 Tk, and 4000 Tk for the small, medium, and large-sized lockers, respectively. Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 2500 Medium 3000 Large 4000 An additional 15% VAT applies to all charges. Lockers provide high security and easy accessibility for customers. The service is ideal for storing important documents, jewellery, and other valuables. Customers can visit designated branches to avail of this service and ensure the safety of their possessions. Read more: What to Consider Before Buying Land: A Step-by-Step Guide United Commercial Bank (UCB) Limited UCB provides Safe Deposit Lockers in 84 branches nationwide, offering maximum security for valuables like documents and jewellery. Lockers are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The annual rental fees are Tk 1,500 for the small, Tk 2,000 for the medium, and Tk 2,500 for the large-sized lockers. Locker Size Annual Charges (BDT) Small 1500 Medium 2000 Large 2500 A refundable security deposit equivalent to one year’s rent is required. The bank ensures confidentiality and ease of access with a hassle-free rent payment system through standing orders. UCB locker services are among the most affordable options in Bangladesh. Final Words Bank locker services in Bangladesh offer a secure way to store valuables, protecting them from theft, fire, and loss. With various sizes, affordable rents, and strong security measures, these safety deposit boxes or lockers provide peace of mind. Choosing a reliable bank locker ensures your precious belongings remain safe and easily accessible when needed. However, the annual fees of bank lockers are subject to change. Read more: What to Consider Before Investing in a Startup or Company?

A Khulna court has ordered the freezing of five bank accounts belonging to former land minister Narayon Chandra Chanda and his wife Usha Rani Chanda. Judge Md Sharif Hossain Haider of Khulna Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court passed the order on Thursday following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).  Court and relevant sources said the ACC had launched an inquiry into allegations including bribery in recruitment processes, illegal land occupation, and misappropriation of public funds from government development projects against the former minister. Ex Khulna-2 MP Mizanur Rahman gets 8 years in jail for graft The illegally acquired wealth was allegedly deposited in various bank accounts, fixed deposits, and savings certificates under both his and his wife's names.  Based on preliminary investigation, the ACC, led by Deputy Director Md Abdul Wadud, submitted a petition to a court to freeze the couple’s financial assets.

The sales of saving all types of savings certificates which remained suspended since last Thursday due to software upgrades are likely to resume on Thursday. Savings Certificate Director of the Department of National Savings (DNS) Mohammad Shariful Islam told UNB that the software upgrade work is underway and it will take one or two more days.  He said that all types of activities including sales will start from next Thursday. Savings certificate sales suspended amid server upgrade; customers frustrated The service was scheduled to resume after 12 noon on Monday but the upgrade work was not completed. Roknuzzaman, Director of Bangladesh Bank's Motijheel Office, said that DNS is looking into the matter. The unexpected suspension has caused significant inconvenience to savings certificate customers, including both men and women, many of whom expressed their annoyance at the lack of timely communication. Visitors reported being informed only upon arrival that services were unavailable, despite receiving assistance at the helpdesk with filling out forms.  

The Managing Directors (MDs) of six crisis-hit banks have been placed on compulsory leave to facilitate an international audit, as instructed by Bangladesh Bank (BB), officials said. The directive is aimed at shariah-based banks owned by S Alam Group. First Security Islami Bank (FSIB) has already acted on this instruction, sending its MD, Syed Wasek Md Ali, on forced leave for the next three months. The decision was made in an emergency meeting of the bank’s board of directors on Saturday (January 4). Mohammad Abdul Mannan, FSIB’s chairman, confirmed the development. The bank’s Additional Managing Director, Abu Reza Md. Yahia, has been appointed as acting MD. Five more banks are on the central bank’s list for similar actions. These are Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Exim Bank, ICB Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank. The process of sending their MDs on leave is currently underway. Banks in Bangladesh faced catastrophic year in 2024 amid liquidity crisis An official from BB revealed that an emergency meeting with the boards of directors of these banks was held last Thursday (January 2). Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Husneara Shikha said, "The decision for the six bank MDs to remain on leave is a collective resolution by the respective banking boards. Bangladesh Bank will conduct audits and asset quality reviews on these six banks.” This measure, she said, aims to prevent the managing directors from making undue interventions during the process. “The leave is temporary at this stage. If they are found innocent after the audit, they will be allowed to resume their roles without any restrictions. However, if irregularities are detected, appropriate actions will be taken following due regulations. This decision by the central bank aligns with international practices." During the meeting, the central bank ordered the removal of senior officials, including MDs closely associated with S Alam Group, to ensure a transparent investigation and further necessary actions. In compliance with these instructions, FSIB’s board promptly convened and decided to send its MD on leave. Many struggling banks recovering: Bangladesh Bank Governor Meanwhile, Social Islami Bank, which has recently been freed from S Alam’s control, has scheduled an emergency board meeting for Sunday (January 5). Similar changes to the leadership of the other banks are anticipated soon. Mohammad Abdul Mannan, who took over as chairman of FSIB on September 1 following a BB-led restructuring of the board, said the move aligns with efforts to reform the banking sector. He replaced Saiful Alam Masud, head of S Alam Group, who previously chaired the bank. Mannan himself was removed from Islami Bank in 2017 after S Alam took control. A chairman of another affected bank, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The MDs who served during the period of corruption will be sent on leave temporarily, enabling international audit organisations to work impartially through the central bank.” This decision was reportedly taken on the recommendation of the Banking Task Force, formed to drive reforms in the sector.

As the country’s foreign exchange market is facing turmoil due to surging dollar demand, Bangladesh Bank has come up to identify key causes and implement corrective measures, according to officials. To stabilise the situation, they said, Bangladesh Bank has taken the following steps: Exchange Rate Cap: The bank has set a maximum exchange rate of Tk 123 per dollar for remittance collection. For cross-currency transactions, the calculated rate cannot exceed this limit. BB drafting separate rules for Islamic banking; ‘bankers divided’ Data Monitoring System: A dashboard has been implemented to monitor market data closely, ensuring greater transparency and control. The central bank’s measures aim to alleviate the current crisis and restore stability to the dollar market. According to the officials, the central bank attributed the ongoing dollar market volatility to several interconnected factors. Number of Tk 1 crore and above account holders drops after political changeover: BB report The central bank says one major cause is the increased demand for dollars at the end of the financial year. December often sees a spike in loan repayments and other financial obligations, creating added pressure on the foreign exchange market. Compounding this is the central bank’s recent suspension of dollar sales to meet IMF-mandated targets. This decision has restricted the supply of dollars in the interbank market, further widening the gap between demand and supply. Besides, Bangladesh’s downgraded credit rating has disrupted correspondent relationships with foreign banks. This has made it more challenging to issue UPAS (Usance Payable at Sight) letters of credit, defer payment maturities, and maintain the inflow of offshore banking loans. The situation has been aggravated by a directive from Bangladesh Bank mandating the repayment of foreign debts by December, adding additional pressure to the market. Another significant factor is the role of aggregators and intermediaries in remittance collection. Their monopolistic practices have destabilised exchange rates, contributing to the ongoing turmoil. A mismatch in dollar inflows and outflows by commercial banks has further complicated the situation, exacerbating instability in the dollar market.

Personal loans are a great option for those looking to make a big financial decision in their life. It could be buying a new car, planning a wedding, going on a vacation abroad, paying for higher studies, or getting a new home. Personal loans offer secured debt consolidation as they cover tons of financial needs. While taking out a personal loan is pretty straightforward, you should consider some key aspects before going for one.  Things to Consider Before Taking Out a Personal Loan from a Bangladeshi Bank  Purpose of the Loan  Personal loans are mostly taken as a form of investment source. It can be debt consolidation or a major investment for future benefit. Regardless, a loan means incurring a liability until it is paid off. It is important to properly assess whether taking the loan is a feasible decision or not.  It is also important to consider alternative funding sources like personal savings, emergency funds, or borrowing from family.  Interest Rate One of the prime things to consider is the interest rate accrued to the loan capital. Currently, Bangladesh Bank has a regulation in place that outlines the upper limit that can be charged by the banks. The Bangladesh Bank interest rate regulation can be checked from the lending rate of scheduled banks (https://www.bb.org.bd/en/index.php/financialactivity/interestlending). Read more: Top 10 Strongest Currencies in the World as of May 2024 Additionally, a borrower can use websites like aamartaka.com to compare the rates among banks, check eligibility criteria, and even apply through their designated channels. Understand the Eligibility Criteria  The first thing to consider while applying for a personal loan is to understand the eligibility criteria. Personal loans can come in both secured and unsecured options. Granted that the unsecured options will incur a higher interest rate.  However, most banks require a set of eligibility criteria for one to apply for a loan. For example, the valuation of collateral against the loan or the liquidity level of the applicant. Other aspects like personal history verification, job verification, income, and salary credit account can also be the eligibility criteria depending on the lender. Another key aspect is the history of bankruptcy or loan default which might disqualify a person from applying for a personal loan.  Have a Good Credit Rating  A credit history is one of the key determinants of loan disbursement abroad. One can’t even apply for a credit card without a stable credit rating, let alone a personal loan. Credit rating determines the creditworthiness of an individual, that is how likely they are to repay a loan based on previous credit history.  Read more: How to Buy Bangladesh Government Treasury Bond: Everything You Need to Know There are several credit scoring systems globally like FICO score and VantageScore. However, in the case of Bangladesh, the banks and NBFIs do not follow a set credit score while approving loans. Alternative credit scoring like asset ownership, utility payments, device data, and rental payments are taken into consideration. It is mostly because a large portion of the demographic is unbanked or underbanked to make credit scoring the sole determinant for loan approval. 

The women employment in the banking sector increased by 1407 in July-December period of 2023, and the overall perrcentage of women employees at banks stood at 16.37 percent in Bangladesh. Meanwhile just 13.51% of board members in the banks are women.  Bangladesh Bank’s (BB’s) latest report on gender equality revealed this information. There are 33346 women employees in 61 banks in the country, which is 16.37 percent of the total employees of banks, according to the report. The BB report shows that among the scheduled banks in 2023, 43 private commercial banks have the highest number of women employees 22,248, which is 16.32 percent of the total employees. Foreign commercial banks have the highest proportion of female officers, 24.18 percent as compared to other banks. In the period July-December 2023, the participation of women as board members was only 13.51 percent. Among them, foreign commercial banks have the highest female board member participation rate at 17.54 percent. Read more: Bangladesh's women empowerment showcased in Myanmar On the other hand, there is no participation of women board members of specialized commercial banks in the discussed period. According to the reports submitted by banks during the period July-December 2023 shows that the participation rate of women employees is higher at the entry-level 17.04 percent and mid-level 15.79 percent than at the higher levels 9.36 percent. Analysis of the obtained data shows that the participation of women in the banking sector is high at the initial stage. At the same time, the participation rate of female employees under thirty years of age 20.99 percent is more than double that of female officers above 9.58 percent in scheduled banks. Bangladesh’s place has improved by 12 steps in the gender gap report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2023, as women's employment increased in the country. The BB report shows that Bangladesh is holding the 59th position in 2023 improving from 71st in 2022 in the gender gap of WEF, among 146 countries in the world. Read more: PM Hasina keen to create more scopes for women in every sector: Nasrul Hamid Executive Director of CDP Dr. Fahmida Khatun said that women's employment is usually increasing with the developing socio-economic scenario of the country and decreasing the ratio of women's employment does not match that calculation. She focused on the need to study why the ratio of women employment has been decreasing in the banking sector. Bangladesh Bank’s spokesperson Mezbaul Haque told UNB that women's employment has increased in the banking sector following the central bank’s policy to reduce the gender gap in banks and financial institutions. The central bank prefers women both in employment and entrepreneurship development. Loan disbursement and interest incentives have been given to women encouraging them involved in financial inclusion. The BB is still working to ensure a sound environment in the workplace of banks. Facilities including maternity leave and daycare opportunities for women’s employees have increased, he said. Read more: Proven Passive Income Ideas for Women in 2024

An official of the Ministry of Finance on Thursday said that 24 banks have agreed to issue bonds worth Tk 5,665 crore to help the government pay money to the owners of private power plants. The government owes more than $2 billion or around Tk23000 crore to the private power plants as bills. Bangladesh should discuss issues related to trade benefits at WTO ministerial conf: speakers at a seminar The government is unable to pay the money because of the financial crisis. As a result, the power plants are not able to pay the money taken from banks as loan. Many of such loans provided to those power plants have been defaulted. To deal with the situation, bonds of Tk 12,000 crore will be issued against the loans taken by the power plants, an official said on condition of anonymity. Bangladesh is doing well in IMF terms: Finance Minister Already, 24 banks have agreed to issue bonds worth Tk 5,665 crore, the official said, confirming that an MoU agreement has been signed in this regard in the Ministry of Finance on February 6. A letter may be sent to the Bangladesh Bank from the Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Finance for issuing bonds this week. Electricity demand may rise to about 17,500 MW in coming summer: Nasrul After that, the Bangladesh Bank will issue this bond in 3-4 working days, the official said.

A Dhaka court today (July 24, 2023) indicted 16 people, including BUET Professor Nikhil Ranjan Dhar, in a case filed over the question paper leak of bank recruitment examination in 2021. Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Tofazzal Hossain passed the order to frame the charges against Nikhil Ranjan Dhar and 15 others. Before that, the magistrate dismissed the petitions submitted for discharging Nikhil and others from the charges in the case. Read: Bank recruitment question leak: BUET professor Nikhil show caused by authority The recruitment test for five state-owned banks was held on November 6, 2021. Sub-inspector Sukant Biswas of Tejgaon Zonal Team filed a case at Badda Police Station under the Public Examinations (Offences) Act following the question leak on November 10 the same year. On November 21 that year, BUET removed Prof Nikhil Ranjan Dhar from the post of head of Industrial and Production Engineering Department and also relieved him of all exam responsibilities. In December, 2021, BUET authorities asked Nikhil to explain his involvement in leaking the questions of recruitment exam for five Banks. Read: Appellate Division orders Dr Yunus to pay NBR Tk 12 crore tax on donations On November 16, 2022, Shamim Ahmed, a sub-inspector of the Detective Branch (DB) and the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet excluding Prof Nikhil as an accused. Earlier this year, a Dhaka court summoned the investigation officer to show cause why and how he relieved Prof Nikhil from the charges. Following that, investigation officer Shamim submitted a supplementary charge against Nikhil to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka.