Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has emerged as the largest supplier of US dollars to Bangladesh Bank’s ongoing foreign exchange (forex) market intervention, accounting for the highest share of greenback sales among all participating commercial banks in the current fiscal year.
According to Bangladesh Bank (BB), the central bank purchased a total of $5.56 billion from commercial banks between 13 July last year and 15 April 2026. The purchases were conducted as part of its intervention strategy under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime, with the aim of maintaining stability in the taka–US dollar exchange rate and ensuring adequate liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
Out of the total amount acquired, Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC alone supplied $1.225 billion. This represents nearly one-fifth of the total US dollars purchased by the central bank during the period, making it the single largest contributor among all commercial banks.
BB data indicates that the foreign currency was acquired through multiple auction-based transactions involving 39 commercial banks. In the process, the central bank injected more than Tk 600 billion into the banking system.
The intervention mechanism allows Bangladesh Bank to buy US dollars from commercial banks depending on their foreign exchange positions. Banks with surplus foreign currency holdings—known as a long position—are able to sell dollars to the central bank. Conversely, banks whose foreign currency outflows exceed inflows are considered to be in a short position.
A senior Bangladesh Bank official, speaking anonymously, said the system enables banks with excess dollar liquidity to offload foreign currency to meet local currency obligations. He added that the arrangement also contributes to strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves while supporting overall market stability.
Top Dollar-Selling Banks
| Rank |
Bank Name |
USD Sold (Million) |
| 1 |
Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC |
1,225 |
| 2 |
Bangladesh Krishi Bank |
1,020 |
| 3 |
Trust Bank |
633 |
| 4 |
Bank Asia |
272 |
| 5 |
City Bank |
258 |
| 6 |
Pubali Bank |
184 |
| 7 |
Dhaka Bank |
181 |
| 8 |
Dutch-Bangla Bank |
173 |
| 9 |
South East Bank |
158 |
| 10 |
Eastern Bank |
140 |
| 11 |
Mercantile Bank |
122 |
| 12 |
United Commercial Bank |
120 |
| 13 |
Jamuna Bank |
111 |
| 14 |
Mutual Trust Bank |
109 |
| 15 |
Agrani Bank |
105 |
Banking sector officials noted that Islami Bank has traditionally been a major channel for remittance inflows. However, they also pointed out that import demand has eased in recent periods due to broader economic conditions, resulting in higher availability of foreign currency within the bank’s balance sheet.
A senior official of Islami Bank, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the current foreign exchange intervention framework has enabled banks with surplus dollars to sell to the central bank more efficiently. He added that such transactions help prevent excessive volatility in the exchange rate and support stability in remittance-driven inflows.
Separately, Bangladesh Krishi Bank Managing Director Sanchia Binte Ali stated that the state-owned specialised bank had been directed by its board to support government priorities, including facilitating international payments in sectors such as power. She noted that strong remittance inflows from expatriate workers have allowed the bank to maintain sufficient foreign currency liquidity after meeting external obligations.
Overall, the data reflects active participation from multiple commercial banks in Bangladesh Bank’s forex intervention programme, with Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC maintaining the leading position in US dollar sales during the reported period.
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