The Bangladesh Bank has set a new schedule for transactions at the banks against the backdrop of the government decision to relax the ongoing strict lockdown from July 15. As per a new circular issued by the central bank, now banks will carry out transactions from 10 am to 4 pm on July 15th, 18th and 19th instead of the existing 10 am to 2:30 pm. The circular says they can operate until 6 pm for conducting their other office activities instead of the previously set time of 4 pm. However, it says, banks will remain open on July 17 and 20 in Dhaka city, Ashulia, Tonga, Gazipur, Samar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj and Chattagram with transaction time from 10 am to 2 pm to facilitate the payment of salary to the garment and other industry workers and trading of garment export bills. Also read: Bank transaction timing extended up to 2:30 pm During the period, banks can remain open until 3:30 pm to conduct their own activities. The cheque clearing house of Bangladesh Bank will be operating during the period. But banks in these areas will not receive any cheque from other areas for the sake of smooth clearing. The banks will operate on a limited scale from July 25 to August 5 with new transaction hours from 10 am to 1:30 pm maintaining all health safety instructions with limited staff. The central bank circular says the other regular activities of banks will remain in operation during the strict restriction from July 25 to August 5 in compliance with the government’s instructions. Also read: Bank transactions from 10 am to 1:30 pm from July 4-7 During this period, the head offices of banks and the branches located at the land ports, sea ports and customs area will remain open in consultation with the local administrations. The banks operate branches with required staff while internet banking service will continue for 24 hours. They have to ensure the operation of ATM booths to facilitate transactions through cards by supplying adequate cash in the machines, said the BB circular.

Banks transaction hours have been extended further by half an hour as they will now operate from 10 am to 3 pm from May 31 to June 6. Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Sunday for all banks in compliance with the Cabinet Division’s latest directives on the countrywide restrictions to contain the Coronavirus transmission. Read:Bangladesh extends lockdown until June 6 The banks can keep open offices until 4:30 pm to do their necessary activities, said the BB circular. Currently, banks have been operating transactions from 10 am to 2:30 pm while in the normal situation they operate from 10 pm to 4 pm.     The BB circular said all other instructions will remain unchanged as per the circular of April 13. In that circular it said banks can keep one non-AD branch open within 2km radius in the city corporation areas and at upazila level one branch of each bank can remain open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday. Read:Covid-19 claims 38 more lives in Bangladesh; new cases 1,043 Banks have to take measures to provide transport facilities for the staff during the period. The BB circular said during the banking transaction hours, banks have to ensure different kinds of services including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, the 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. Banks have to follow instructions in keeping the branches located in the port areas in discussion with the local administration and other authorities, as per the circular issued on August 5 last year, it said. Read:Schools, colleges to reopen on June 13: Dipu Moni Banks have to operate with limited staff under a roster system. They have to ensure operation of ATM booths to facilitate transaction through cards by supplying adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further order, said the circular issued on April 13.