In anticipation of the significant surge in financial transactions during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, Bangladesh Bank has issued a mandatory directive to all scheduled banks to ensure an uninterrupted supply of cash and digital services. The central bank communicated these instructions to the Managing Directors and Chief Executives of all commercial banks, emphasizing that public convenience and system security must be prioritised during the festive period.
Historically, the days leading up to and during Eid witness a dramatic spike in withdrawals. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) often face depletion due to overwhelming demand, leading to long queues and consumer frustration. To mitigate this, the central bank’s Payment Systems Department (PSD) has outlined a comprehensive operational framework for the holiday duration.
Key Directives for Financial Institutions
The central bank’s mandate covers five critical areas of the national payment infrastructure:
1. ATM and Physical Infrastructure
Banks are required to ensure that ATMs remain operational 24/7. This includes maintaining adequate cash reserves and deploying technical teams to resolve hardware or software glitches immediately. Security personnel must be present at all times, and bank officials are encouraged to conduct surprise inspections of booths to verify service quality.
2. Point of Sale (POS) and QR Transactions
To facilitate retail shopping, POS terminals and QR-code-based payment systems must function without downtime. Banks are also instructed to heighten merchant and consumer awareness regarding potential fraud and skimming risks during the holiday rush.
3. Online and Internet Banking
For “Card Not Present” (CNP) transactions and web-based transfers, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) remains mandatory to prevent unauthorised access. Furthermore, receiving banks must act proactively; once a settlement report with an “85” response code is received, funds must be credited to the beneficiary’s account without delay.
4. Mobile Financial Services (MFS)
MFS providers and their subsidiaries must ensure that agents maintain sufficient “e-money” and physical cash liquidity. Given that a large portion of the population relies on MFS for homebound remittances, the network must remain congestion-free.
Digital Payment Security & Customer Support
| Service Category | Operational Mandate | Security Protocol |
| ATMs | Continuous Cash Replenishment | 24/7 Guarded Security |
| MFS Agents | Sufficient Cash-out Liquidity | SMS Alerts for Every Transaction |
| Online Banking | Zero Downtime for Gateways | Compulsory 2FA Implementation |
| Customer Support | Active 24/7 Helplines | Rapid Grievance Redressal |
A Policy of Zero Harassment
The central bank has taken a stern stance against consumer harassment. All financial institutions are required to provide instant SMS Alerts for transactions of any amount, ensuring customers are informed of their account activity in real-time. Additionally, banks are encouraged to use mass media to educate the public on safe electronic banking practices.
To handle potential disputes, 24-hour helplines must be fully staffed. The overarching goal is to ensure that the transition from physical to digital banking remains seamless, allowing citizens to celebrate the holiday without the anxiety of financial gridlock.