Scheduled Banks To Close For Seven Days Locally

The central monetary authority of the country, Bangladesh Bank, has officially announced a consecutive seven-day suspension of regular banking operations throughout the nation in observance of the holy festival of Eid-ul-Adha. According to a regulatory directive issued on Monday, 18 May 2026, all scheduled commercial and state-owned banks operating across Bangladesh will remain closed from 25 May to 31 May 2026. Normal financial services and public counters will not be operational during this designated festive period.

The central repository clarified that this definitive administrative scheduling has been executed in strict alignment with the official public holiday declarations previously finalized by the Ministry of Public Administration. However, to manage the anticipated surge in financial transactions and substantial public pressure prior to the commencement of the week-long closure, Bangladesh Bank has structured compensatory operational measures. Under these temporary arrangements, all branches and sub-branches of scheduled banking institutions across the country will remain fully open on Saturday, 23 May, and Sunday, 24 May 2026, under their regular operational hours.

Specialized Windows for Garment Sector Areas

Recognizing the urgent financial requirements within the country’s macroscopic export engine, the central bank has formulated specific regulatory exceptions to ensure the seamless distribution of financial dues to ready-made garment (RMG) sector workers. To facilitate the timely disbursement of monthly salaries, festival bonuses, and outstanding institutional allowances, designated industrial zones will maintain access to localized banking services on 25 May and 26 May 2026.

According to the official circular, the areas selected for this targeted economic intervention encompass the Dhaka metropolitan area, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and the port city of Chittagong. Banking branches situated within these specified garment-dense clusters will operate under restricted operational hours during the first two days of the national holiday sequence. Bangladesh Bank has mandated that the administrative office hours for these branches will extend from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, whereas active financial transaction windows for public counters will be accessible strictly from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Strategic Infrastructure Hubs and Administrative Compensation

Beyond the industrial manufacturing zones, the central bank has enacted further provisions designed to prevent logistical disruption across vital international trading channels. The monetary regulator has instructed that select bank branches, sub-branches, and specialized currency booths located within major maritime ports, land customs stations, and international airports must remain partially active. These border facilities are required to continue rendering limited import and export financial services throughout the holiday stretch from 25 May to 31 May 2026, excluding only the specific calendar day upon which the Eid-ul-Adha festival officially falls.

To maintain optimal security and logistical efficiency during these non-standard operational shifts, the central banking authorities have directed local bank managements to organize sufficient staff rotation plans. The official regulatory text explicitly noted that all banking officers, cashiers, and ancillary support staff who are formally deployed to fulfill professional duties during these public holidays will be legally entitled to receive compensatory financial allowances. These institutional payments must be accurately calculated and distributed in comprehensive accordance with the established statutory rules and governmental codes governing national public holidays.