Bangladesh Bank (BB)

Instalment payment period extended till Dec 31

Bangladesh Bank today said that borrowers will not be considered defaulters if they pay their instalments by December 31 this year.
Bangladesh Bank asks banks to keep LC margin on onion imports at minimum level

The central bank orders banks to keep the margin on the opening of letters of credits to import essential commodities, including onions at a minimum level.
Bangladesh Bank reserve heist: Probe report submission deferred to October 12

A Dhaka court sets October 12 as the date for submission of a probe report in the case lodged over the Bangladesh Bank (BB) reserve heist that took place in 2016.
Parliament passes bill to extend Bangladesh Bank governor’s age limit

Parliament has passed the “Bangladesh Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2020” to extend the age limit of the central bank’s governor to 67 years.
Banks in ‘red zones’ to remain closed: Bangladesh Bank

Banks in ‘red zone’ areas will remain closed as lockdown will be enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus.
All branches of banks to remain open from May 31: Bangladesh Bank

The Bangladesh Bank has today asked banks to keep all their branches across the country open from May 31.
Covid-19 fallout: Central bank’s move to ease financial burden of borrowers

The central bank today directed banks to transfer all interest accrued or to be accrued between April 1 and May 31 this year from all of their loans to an interest-free blocked account.
Bangladesh Bank to provide half of Tk 20,000cr stimulus package for SMEs

Bangladesh Bank will provide half of the Tk 20,000 crore stimulus package announced by the government for the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises sector -- to deal with the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Banks asked to reopen branches in commercial areas of Dhaka, Ctg

Bangladesh Bank today asked banks to open their branches in Dhaka's Motijheel and Dilkusha areas and Chattogram's Agrabad and Khatungonj areas, and carry out cash transaction-related operations from 10am to 2pm.
BB extends banking operations nationwide

The Bangladesh Bank decides to extend the banking operation across the country during the ongoing shutdown.
No interest on credit card bills due April 1: BB

Bangladesh Bank asks lenders not to impose any interest on credit card bills due on April 1, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Special incentive for bank employees during shutdown

The central bank has asked banks to provide incentive to their employees who are working during the ongoing closure declared by the government in order to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Bangladesh Bank asks authorities to declare MFS as emergency service

Bangladesh Bank asks concerned authorities to take necessary steps for declaring mobile financial services (MFS) as emergency services amid the ongoing closure following the coronavirus outbreak.
Bangladesh Bank cuts repurchase rate and reserve ratio to inject liquid cash into economy

The central bank has taken two significant steps to inject liquid cash into the economy amid the impending financial recession due to coronavirus shutdown.
Nationwide shutdown: Banking hours extended by 1 hour

Transaction hours at all commercial banks are extended by one hour -- up to 1pm – during the ongoing nationwide closure.
Bangladesh Bank has no plans to quarantine bank notes to check coronavirus spread

South Korea’s central bank started to quarantine all bank notes on March 6 for two weeks to remove any traces of coronavirus and even burn them as part of the government’s efforts to contain the outbreak.
9% interest rate on loans: HC refuses to hear petition challenging BB decision

A High Court bench refuses to hold hearing on a writ petition that challenged the legality of Bangladesh Bank's decision which instructed the scheduled banks to set a maximum nine percent interest rate on all loans except credit cards.
BB seeks explanation from Janata MD

Bangladesh Bank has sought explanation from Janata Bank Managing Director Md Abdus Salam Azad for extending loan rescheduling facilities to two companies, including the notorious AnonTex Group, by breaching rules.
Bangladesh Bank Reserve Heist: Int’l payment system now slower, costlier

It has been four years since a band of hackers broke into this Bangladesh Bank’s account with the New York Fed with the intent to pull off what would have been the biggest cyber heist in history.
Travellers can now carry up to $10,000

Each traveller can now carry up to $10,000 without declaration while departing or entering Bangladesh.
The billion-dollar hit job

The way unknown hackers hatched plans to steal money from the Bangladesh Bank’s reserves with the New York Fed using the most sophisticated banking and payment channels as well their near-perfect preparation and timing will render many detective stories and Hollywood movies average.
Risky loans soaring. BB’s plan? Hide figure.

The central bank is planning to sweep the bulging stressed assets under the rug when it publishes its annual financial stability report in April such that it can paint a rosy picture of the banking sector.
BB makes easier digital marketing payment

Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector has received a major boost after the central bank opened up an opportunity for them to make payment to social media giants for online marketing.
BB removes Mercantile Bank director

Bangladesh Bank has removed Md Shahidul Ahsan from Mercantile Bank’s board of directors over his alleged involvement in money laundering.
Banks bracing for big hit on profits

Banks will have a hard time logging in profits in the coming days because of the latest government decision to fix interest rate for lending at 9 percent and for deposit at 6 percent.
BB official, 2 daughters die in Sitakunda road crash

A Bangladesh Bank official and his two daughters are killed and his wife and son are injured in a road accident in Chattogram’s Sitakunda upazila.
BB to release new banknote of Taka 200

The central bank will release new banknotes of Tk 200 denomination in March next year on the occasion of birth century of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bring bank loan interest rate to single digit: Minister

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has pressed the need to bring down bank loan interest rate to single digit in order to boost businesses.
Loan defaulter gets remittance award of BB

Bangladesh Bank has handed over the remittance award to loan defaulter and money launderer Shahjahan Bablu without scrutinising his background.
Reforms to fall flat if defaulters spared

Any reforms in the banking sector will not be effective if those are made sparing loan defaulters, says Khondkar Ibrahim Khaled, former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank.