Customers of five recently merged banks will be able to withdraw their deposits starting today, the Bangladesh Bank has announced. In the first phase of the refund scheme, a maximum of BDT 200,000 per customer will be disbursed.
The merged banks include:
First Security Islami Bank
Social Islami Bank
Union Bank
Global Islami Bank
EXIM Bank
The central bank has finalised the scheme to safeguard the interests of ordinary depositors and has released a detailed schedule for the repayments. The announcement was made via an official circular on Tuesday, 30 December.
Under the scheme, customers with deposits up to BDT 200,000 will have full access to their funds at any time. These funds are fully protected under the Deposit Insurance Act, ensuring that depositors can withdraw their money without restrictions.
For customers whose deposits exceed BDT 200,000, withdrawals will be allowed in installments. Only current and savings accounts with a fixed tenure are eligible for this phased withdrawal, which may take up to 24 months to complete the full payout.
Special provisions have been made for depositors suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer or requiring kidney dialysis. In these cases, funds can be withdrawn outside the standard schedule to cover urgent medical expenses, reflecting a humanitarian consideration within the scheme.
The table below summarises the first phase of the withdrawal plan for the five banks:
| Bank Name | Maximum Direct Withdrawal (BDT) | Maximum Installment Duration (Months) | Special Provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Security Islami Bank | 200,000 | 24 | Serious illness allowance |
| Social Islami Bank | 200,000 | 24 | Serious illness allowance |
| Union Bank | 200,000 | 24 | Serious illness allowance |
| Global Islami Bank | 200,000 | 24 | Serious illness allowance |
| EXIM Bank | 200,000 | 24 | Serious illness allowance |
Bangladesh Bank officials emphasised that the scheme is designed to restore depositors’ confidence, ensure the orderly disbursement of funds, and minimise disruption in the banking sector following the merger.
Financial analysts have noted that the phased withdrawal plan not only protects small depositors but also introduces transparency and stability into the operations of the merged banks. The humanitarian provisions for critically ill depositors have been widely welcomed, as they allow access to funds for urgent medical needs without procedural delays.
With this initiative, ordinary depositors can now secure their savings safely, while the banks and regulatory authorities work to restore trust in the merged institutions over the coming months.