Banks That Received No Remittances in December

In December, Bangladesh received a total of USD 322.69 million in remittances from overseas. However, during the same period, seven banks reported zero remittance inflows.

This information was revealed on Thursday (1 January) in the latest update from Bangladesh Bank.

According to the central bank’s data, the seven banks with no remittance in December include one specialised bank, two private banks, and four foreign banks.

The specialised bank is:

Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB)

The private banks are:

Padma Bank PLC

ICB Islamic Bank

The foreign banks are:

Al-Farah Bank

Habib Bank

National Bank of Pakistan

State Bank of India

A breakdown of remittance inflows through different types of banks shows:

The figures indicate that private banks continue to dominate remittance inflows, while foreign banks contributed a minimal amount during December.

For context, the 2024–25 fiscal year saw Bangladeshi expatriates remit a record USD 30.32 billion (3,032.8 crore), marking the highest remittance inflow in the country’s history for a single fiscal year.

Despite the overall strong inflow, the absence of remittance in these seven banks highlights a persistent gap in outreach and accessibility for certain institutions, particularly foreign and specialised banks, compared with state-owned and major private banks. Analysts suggest that this may be due to limited correspondent banking relationships, fewer overseas branches, or reduced visibility among migrant workers.

Bangladesh Bank’s monthly remittance reports remain a key indicator of the country’s economic resilience, as remittance continues to play a crucial role in balancing foreign exchange reserves and supporting household incomes across the country.