Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, a number of bank branches across Bangladesh will operate on a limited scale on Thursday, 19 March, to facilitate salary and allowance payments for ready-made garment (RMG) workers. The move follows directives from Bangladesh Bank to ensure essential banking services remain available in industrial areas while staffing remains minimal.
According to the central bank’s notification, branches located in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and the RMG-intensive zones of Chattogram will remain open on the day. Banking hours will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with customer transactions conducted between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. A short break will be observed during Zuhr prayers.
The following branches of major banks are scheduled to operate:
Bank Branches Open on 19 March
| Bank | Branches Open |
|---|---|
| Prime Bank | Agrabad (Chattogram), Narayanganj, Ganakbari (Savar), Tongi (Gazipur) |
| Islami Bank Bangladesh | Agrabad Corporate (Chattogram), Dhaka Head Office Complex Corporate & Local Offices, Narayanganj |
| City Bank | Joypurhat, Dinajpur, Gobindaganj, Sirajganj, Syedpur, Rajshahi, Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Pabna, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Natore, Bogura, Rangpur |
| BRAC Bank | Motijheel, Tongi, Ganakbari, Joydebpur, CDA Avenue (Chattogram), Rokeya Sarani, Rangpur, Dhanmondi-27, Boro Bazar (Khulna), Gulshan North Avenue, Jessore, Siddhirganj |
| Shahjalal Islami Bank | Foreign Exchange Branch |
| Premier Bank | Kawran Bazar & Motijheel (Dhaka), Banani, Gulshan, Uttara |
| Mutual Trust Bank | Chandra, Gulshan, Jubilee Road, Narayanganj BSCIC, Principal Branch, Uttara Model Town, Kushtia, Khulna, Jessore, Lohagara |
| NCC Bank | O R Nizam Road (Chattogram), Motijheel, Baridhara, Savar, Joydebpur, Baipayel |
These limited operations aim to provide timely access to salaries and allowances for workers in Bangladesh’s garment sector, which forms a significant part of the country’s export economy. The move ensures continuity of essential financial services while accommodating the festive schedule of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Bank customers are advised to plan their transactions accordingly, arriving during the designated hours and accounting for the brief Zuhr prayer break.
The initiative reflects a wider effort by Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks to support industrial workers during major festivals, combining operational flexibility with the ongoing need for essential financial services.
