Ahead of the holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, a limited number of bank branches across Bangladesh will operate on Thursday, 19 March, to ensure that workers in the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector receive their salaries and allowances on time. The initiative follows directives from Bangladesh Bank, with branches staffed by a reduced number of officials and offering restricted services for general customers.
The move is specifically aimed at safeguarding the financial interests of RMG workers, enabling them to collect their wages conveniently before the festive celebrations. Banks have been advised to manage transactions efficiently while maintaining minimal disruption to regular operations.
Branches in Dhaka metropolitan areas, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and Chittagong industrial zones will remain open. Office hours are set from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with customer transactions conducted from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. A brief pause will be observed for the Zuhr prayer.
Bank authorities have urged customers to plan their visits in advance, given the limited number of open branches and reduced staffing. The arrangement is expected to provide faster and smoother access to wages, ensuring workers can celebrate Eid without financial concerns.
The following table details the banks and branches designated to remain open:
| Bank | Branch Location | City/Region |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Bank | Agrabad Branch | Chittagong |
| Prime Bank | Narayanganj Branch | Narayanganj |
| Prime Bank | Ganakbari Branch | Savar |
| Prime Bank | Tongi Branch | Gazipur |
| Islami Bank Bangladesh | Agrabad Corporate Branch | Chittagong |
| Islami Bank Bangladesh | Head Office Complex Corporate Branch | Dhaka |
| Islami Bank Bangladesh | Local Office | Dhaka |
| Islami Bank Bangladesh | Narayanganj Branch | Narayanganj |
| City Bank | Multiple Branches | Various Districts |
| BRAC Bank | Motijheel, Tongi, Ganakbari, Joydebpur, CDA Avenue | Dhaka & Chittagong |
| BRAC Bank | Rokeya Sarani, Rangpur, Dhanmondi-27, Borobazar, Gulshan North Avenue, Jessore, Siddhirganj | Various Districts |
| Shahjalal Islami Bank | Foreign Exchange Branch | Dhaka |
| Premier Bank | Kawran Bazar, Motijheel, Banani, Gulshan, Uttara | Dhaka |
| Mutual Trust Bank | Chandra, Gulshan, Jubilee Road, Narayanganj BSCIC, Principal Branch, Uttara Model Town, Kushtia, Khulna, Jessore, Lohagara | Various Districts |
| NCC Bank | OR Nizam Road, Motijheel, Baridhara, Savar, Joydebpur, Baipayel | Dhaka & Chittagong |
Bangladesh Bank and participating commercial banks have emphasised that this arrangement will bolster financial security for workers in industrial areas while facilitating smooth customer transactions during the Eid period. Customers are encouraged to visit the branches with prior planning to avoid congestion.