Banks to Remain Open During Mango Trading Season

Bangladesh Bank has instructed scheduled banks to keep selected branches and sub-branches operating on Saturdays in key mango-producing districts of the greater Rajshahi region, aiming to facilitate uninterrupted financial transactions during the peak mango trading season.

The directive comes as commercial activity linked to the country’s mango harvest reaches its busiest period, generating substantial cash transactions across wholesale and temporary fruit markets. By allowing banking services to continue on weekly holidays, the central bank hopes to ensure smooth financial operations for traders whilst reducing the risks associated with handling and storing large amounts of cash.

The instruction was issued on Thursday through a circular from Bangladesh Bank’s Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDMAD) and has been sent to the chief executive officers of all scheduled banks operating in the country.

According to the circular, significant volumes of financial transactions are currently taking place in permanent and seasonal mango markets across Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Rajshahi and Natore districts. These areas form the heart of Bangladesh’s mango industry and play a crucial role in supplying fruit to domestic markets across the country during the harvesting season.

Bangladesh Bank said banks must take necessary measures to ensure an adequate supply of cash in these trading hubs while also facilitating the secure deposit of proceeds generated from mango sales. The move is intended to minimise security risks faced by traders, commission agents and market operators who often handle substantial sums of money during the harvest period.

Under the directive, bank branches and sub-branches located near mango markets in several upazilas of Chapainawabganj—including Shibganj, Sadar, Gomastapur and Bholahat—will be permitted to remain open on Saturdays. Similar arrangements will apply to branches serving major mango trading centres in Sapahar, Porsha and Niamatpur upazilas of Naogaon, as well as selected market-adjacent banking outlets in Rajshahi and Natore districts.

The special arrangement will remain in effect until 31 July, covering the busiest phase of the mango marketing season.

Mango cultivation is one of the most important agricultural activities in north-western Bangladesh. Chapainawabganj, often referred to as the country’s mango capital, produces a significant share of the national harvest each year. During the peak season, thousands of growers, traders, transport operators and wholesalers become involved in the supply chain, creating a sharp increase in cash-based commercial transactions.

The movement of large volumes of produce from orchards to wholesale markets and onward to retailers often results in substantial daily financial activity. In many cases, traders require immediate banking services to deposit sales proceeds, transfer funds, settle payments and manage working capital. Limited banking hours during the harvest season can therefore create operational challenges and increase security concerns.

Recognising these realities, Bangladesh Bank has periodically introduced similar measures in previous years to support agricultural commerce and maintain liquidity in major produce markets.

The central bank has directed concerned banks to ensure adequate security arrangements before operating the designated branches and sub-branches on Saturdays. Individual banks will have the flexibility to determine operational requirements based on local demand and business activity.

Bangladesh Bank stated that the directive has been issued in the public interest under the authority granted by Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991. The measure is expected to support farmers, traders and businesses involved in the mango supply chain while helping to ensure the smooth flow of financial transactions during one of the country’s most commercially significant agricultural seasons.