Limited scale banking extended further

Published at 02:15 pm April 28th, 2021

Bangladesh Bank Headquarters, Motijheel, Dhaka Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

The central bank issued the circular following the extension of the ongoing restrictions on public movement until May 5

Banks will continue to provide services on a limited scale during the extended period of restrictions on public movement and gatherings from April 28 to May 5.

The non-bank financial institutions will also provide services on a limited scale during the restriction period.

The central bank issued the circular following the extension of the ongoing lockdown until May 5. With the latest extension, it is the second time the government extended the fresh phase of restrictions on public movement.

Amid the extended "lockdown," banking transactions will be carried out from 10am to 1pm and banks will remain open till 2:30pm, according to a Bangladesh Bank notice issued on Wednesday.

In addition to the district level main branches of the banks, all authorized dealer branches should also be kept open for conducting important and urgent foreign transactions, as per the BB notice.

The central bank said that a branch should be kept open within every 2km in the city corporation areas.

One branch of each bank, which operates at the upazila level, should remain open on Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday.

Various payment and clearing systems introduced by the central bank should continue operating for all types of deposits, withdrawals and distribution of allowance under the various social programs of the government, remittance payments, and payment of utility bills.

The government and the central bank’s instructions on hygiene and health guidelines should be ensured among bank officials.

The banks’ branches, sub-branches, booths located in the sea, land and airports and customs areas should remain open at all times by consulting with the local administration and customs authorities, the notice added.

The central bank also asked the other banks to keep adequate cash at their branches and ATM booths to ensure services to their clients.

Earlier on April 13, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) decided to keep the banks open on a limited scale when the government announced a strict lockdown from April 14.