Bank officials were facing difficulties in handling the large crowds and long queues in front of the cash counters
Bank branches in the capital are facing huge cash withdrawal pressure from all types of clients as banks will be open just two days before Eid — Tuesday and Wednesday.
While visiting different bank branches in the capital, the Dhaka Tribune found that bank officials were facing difficulties in handling the large crowds and long queues in front of the cash counters.
“Now we are facing a huge rush at almost all of our branches and ATM booths,” said an official of Dutch Bangla Bank.
Since this week banks will open only two days before Eid, there is so much pressure, he added.
“Most people have decided to go to their villages before Eid despite a strict lockdown, and they are withdrawing cash for Eid expenditure,” said Trust Bank Sena Kallyan Bhaban Branch Manager Mahbubur Rahman.
"We carried on even after the transaction period ended as our branch faced a mad rush of clients seeking cash withdrawal," he added.
Rafiqul Islam, a private job holder, said he withdrew cash from his account for essential needs amid the Eid holidays because banks will open only two days before the festival.
The Bangladesh Bank had recently asked all commercial banks to keep adequate cash at their branches and ATM booths to ensure unhindered services to their clients.
Banking activities will continue on a limited scale during the extended period of restrictions on public movement and gatherings from May 6 to May 16, except the Eid holidays.
Bank branches in the garment industrial areas — Dhaka Metropolitan City, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, and Chittagong — must be open on May 10 and May 13 for the convenience of payment of workers’ salaries, bonuses, and other allowances before Eid and the continuation of export trade.
The central bank said that the officials and employees of banks must stay at their respective workstations during the holidays.
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