Despite today being a weekly holiday, banks across Bangladesh will remain open.
This announcement was made in an official statement by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday, 24 December. The decision has been taken to facilitate banking services related to the upcoming Thirteenth Parliamentary Election.
According to the statement, all branches of scheduled banks will operate on Saturday, 27 December, to allow candidates to deposit their election-related fees, including nomination paper security deposits, and to purchase voter list CDs. Payments can be made via bank drafts, pay orders, or treasury challans.
The schedule for nomination paper submission specifies that the last date for submission is 29 December, giving candidates a brief window to complete necessary formalities. This temporary opening is particularly important as it falls immediately after the Christmas holiday and the weekly Friday closure, ensuring uninterrupted banking services for election preparations.
For public convenience, the bank schedule for this period can be summarised as follows:
| Date | Day | Bank Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 December | Wednesday | Closed | Christmas holiday |
| 26 December | Thursday | Closed | Regular weekly closure (Friday observed on 26th) |
| 27 December | Saturday | Open | All scheduled bank branches open for election-related payments |
| 29 December | Monday | Open | Last day for submission of nomination papers |
Bank officials have urged the public and candidates to plan their transactions accordingly to avoid last-minute inconveniences. They also reminded customers that normal banking operations, including cash withdrawals and account services, will be available alongside election-related facilities.
This measure reflects Bangladesh Bank’s commitment to ensuring smooth financial operations during significant national events, especially during election periods, when timely banking services are crucial for candidates and the electorate alike.