Sammilita Islami Bank Announces 9.5% Dividend for Depositors

Depositors of the Sammilita Islami Bank (SIB) are set to receive a maximum dividend of 9.5% starting from the 2026 financial year, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H. Mansur, announced today at a press briefing held at the central bank’s headquarters. He noted that the dividend rate has been determined based on market conditions and to maintain healthy competition within the Islamic banking sector.

Addressing concerns regarding the bank’s recent financial performance, Governor Mansur reassured depositors that they would continue to benefit despite prior losses. Depositors will receive a 4% dividend for the 2024 and 2025 financial years, funded through a government special subsidy. During this period, five branches of the bank had incurred significant losses. Under Islamic banking principles, depositors do not earn dividends in loss-making years; however, government support has ensured that depositor interests are protected. The estimated cost of this subsidy programme is Tk 4,500 crore.

Governor Mansur emphasised that these measures aim to restore depositor confidence, align bank operations with market realities, and strengthen adherence to Islamic banking principles.

Key features of SIB’s deposit scheme are summarised in the table below:

Under the new dividend structure, monthly payments will commence from 1 February 2026. Withdrawals exceeding Tk 2 lakh may require additional processing time due to regulatory and administrative procedures.

To further strengthen depositor confidence and facilitate rapid resolution of complaints, Bangladesh Bank will launch a dedicated hotline next week. Governor Mansur encouraged depositors to utilise this service, which is designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in banking transactions.

These initiatives are expected to play a crucial role in restoring depositor trust, ensuring compliance with Islamic banking principles, and aligning the bank’s operations with market realities. The government’s special subsidy programme demonstrates a firm commitment to safeguarding depositor interests even in loss-making periods, contributing to the stability and resilience of Bangladesh’s Islamic banking sector.