In light of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections and the associated referendum, all scheduled commercial banks across Bangladesh will remain closed on 11 and 12 February, Wednesday and Thursday respectively. This announcement was confirmed on Sunday by the Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDAD) of Bangladesh Bank.
According to the official statement, the Ministry of Public Administration, on 25 January, issued a government notification declaring a public holiday on the aforementioned dates under an executive order, coinciding with the national elections and referendum. In response, Bangladesh Bank has instructed all commercial banks to suspend regular operations during this period.
The directive has been issued under the powers granted by Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991, empowering the central bank to ensure orderly banking operations in alignment with government decisions. Consequently, the heads of management and chief executive officers of all commercial banks have received formal instructions from the central bank to enforce this closure.
While the bank branches will remain physically closed, digital banking services such as online banking, mobile banking, and ATMs will continue to operate. Customers are advised to plan their transactions in advance to avoid any inconvenience. The central bank also emphasised that any transactional issues arising during the closure will be addressed once normal operations resume.
The closure schedule is summarised in the following table:
| Date | Day | Banking Status |
|---|---|---|
| 11 February | Wednesday | All commercial banks closed |
| 12 February | Thursday | All commercial banks closed |
Bangladesh Bank has further advised all customers and businesses to take note of the temporary suspension of banking services. Essential financial operations should be completed beforehand, particularly cash withdrawals, deposits, and cheque clearances. This measure is intended to facilitate smooth electoral processes and ensure that banking activities do not interfere with the democratic exercise.
In addition, the central bank urged commercial institutions to notify their clients about the closure and prepare contingency plans for critical financial transactions. The two-day banking hiatus is part of a broader government initiative to maintain civic order and ensure voter participation during the election period.
This announcement marks a critical reminder for both individual account holders and corporate clients to plan their banking activities accordingly, minimising potential disruptions caused by the nationwide holiday.