The Bangladesh Bank on Thursday asked banks to remain open on a limited scale in industrial areas across the country, including in Dhaka city, during the public holidays on April 19 to April 21.
The central bank notice states that the decision has been taken to facilitate payments of salaries, wages and festival allowances to garment workers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
It adds that banking services will be available in Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram during the three-day period.
Customers will be able to conduct banking between 9:30am and 1pm on April 19 and April 20. The banking hours will be between 9:30am and 12:30pm on April 21.
‘Ensure smooth, secure services’
The Bangladesh Bank has asked banks and mobile financial service (MFS) providers to ensure smooth and uninterrupted transactions through the automated teller machines (ATMs), points of sale (POS), e-payment gateways, and internet banking systems during the Eid holidays.
It issued another notice in this regard on Thursday.
The notice adds that the banks will have to ensure adequate security at the ATM booths, create awareness among the merchants and clients to prevent forgery in POS services, keep on running the two factor authentication (2FA) on card not present transaction for online e-payment gateways, and inform the clients about transactions through SMS service.
ATM and POS networks must be operative for 24 hours, and the banks will have to ensure all-time cash supply at ATM booths. The regulator also instructed the banks to provide Help Line services for clients during the upcoming Eid holidays.
