Financial Institutions to Remain Closed for Four Days

All financial institutions across Bangladesh will remain closed for four consecutive days in February in observance of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and national referendum. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 3 February, by the Department of Financial Institutions and Markets (DFIM) under Bangladesh Bank.

According to the DFIM notice, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a government directive on 25 January, declaring 11 and 12 February—Wednesday and Thursday respectively—as official holidays to facilitate the electoral process. Consequently, all banks, non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs), insurance companies, and other financial entities operating in the country will suspend their services on these dates.

The directive has been issued under the authority granted by Section 41(2)(g) of the Financial Institutions Act, 2023. Bangladesh Bank has formally communicated this order to the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of all financial institutions in the country, instructing them to comply fully.

Since 13 February (Friday) and 14 February (Saturday) are already designated as the weekly holidays for financial institutions, the closure effectively extends to four consecutive days, creating a temporary suspension of routine banking and financial operations.

Authorities have urged customers and clients to plan their financial transactions accordingly and to complete any urgent banking activities in advance to avoid inconvenience. Electronic banking services such as online banking, mobile banking, and ATMs are expected to operate normally, although in-branch services will be unavailable during the four-day period.

For clarity, the schedule of closures is summarised below:

This extended closure underscores the commitment of the government and financial sector to ensure smooth and transparent electoral processes, while also aligning with existing labour and banking regulations. Financial experts advise individuals and businesses to plan ahead to minimise disruptions to routine financial activities.