Mobile and online banking services across Bangladesh have returned to full functionality following the withdrawal of a four-day regulatory restriction imposed during the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Leading Mobile Financial Service (MFS) providers — including bKash, Nagad and Rocket — resumed unrestricted operations from Friday morning after emergency transaction caps were formally lifted shortly after midnight on Thursday, 12 February. Internet banking platforms operated by commercial banks have likewise restored normal peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer facilities.
The temporary controls were introduced by Bangladesh Bank at 12:00 am on 9 February and remained in force until 11:59 pm on 12 February, amounting to a 96-hour precautionary freeze. The measures were designed to prevent the misuse of digital financial channels for illicit electoral financing or voter inducement during the sensitive polling window.
Nature of the Restrictions
During the restriction period, digital transactions were subject to strict quantitative and functional limitations:
| Category | Restriction Imposed | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Individual P2P Transfer Limit | Maximum Tk1,000 per transaction | 9–12 February |
| Daily Transaction Frequency | Maximum 10 transactions per user | 9–12 February |
| Internet Banking Transfers | P2P transfers largely suspended | 9–12 February |
| Standard Limits | Fully restored | From 13 February |
The curbs applied to both MFS wallets and internet banking portals, including transactions routed through mobile applications. However, essential services such as merchant payments, utility bills, salary disbursements, and inward remittances continued under controlled parameters to minimise disruption to economic activity.
Rationale and Regulatory Context
Officials at Bangladesh Bank indicated that the directive formed part of a broader electoral integrity framework aimed at curbing illegal financial flows. Digital payment platforms have grown rapidly in Bangladesh, handling millions of daily transactions. While this expansion has strengthened financial inclusion, it has also heightened regulatory concerns during politically sensitive periods.
By imposing temporary caps, the central bank sought to mitigate risks associated with bulk fund transfers, coordinated micro-payments, or other mechanisms that could potentially influence voter behaviour.
Monitoring After Restoration
With services now restored to standard operating thresholds, financial institutions have been instructed to intensify post-election monitoring. Banks and MFS operators are expected to flag unusual transaction patterns, including sudden surges in P2P activity or structured transfers designed to circumvent regulatory scrutiny.
Industry analysts note that the swift reinstatement of normal limits reflects regulatory confidence that the election period has concluded without systemic digital financial disruption.
For consumers and businesses alike, Friday marked a return to routine digital commerce — a reminder of the central role mobile and internet banking now play in Bangladesh’s financial ecosystem.