Which types of banks operate in Bangladesh's banking system?

Bangladesh has state-owned and specialized banks, private commercial banks, foreign commercial banks, and Islami Shariah-based banks. As of 5 September 2026, Bangladesh Bank listed 63 scheduled banks under its control, plus five non-scheduled banks with special purposes.

How can customers access banking services in Bangladesh?

Customers can use branches, ATMs, cash machines, agent banking, internet or mobile banking, and MFS agents or bank branches. Banks may also provide self-onboarding or assisted onboarding through simplified or regular e-KYC.

How much of a bank deposit is protected in Bangladesh?

The Deposit Protection System covers up to BDT 200,000 per depositor at each institution. All accounts held by the same depositor at that institution are aggregated for this limit.

Which payment systems can customers use for interbank transfers in Bangladesh?

BEFTN supports paperless interbank credits and debits, NPSB connects interbank ATM, POS, and internet-banking transfers, and BD-RTGS handles high-value or time-critical payments. BD-RTGS transactions usually start at BDT 100,000, with a customer fee capped at BDT 100.

What happens when a bank account becomes dormant in Bangladesh?

Current and SND accounts can become dormant after at least six months without a customer transaction, while savings accounts use an 18-month period. The customer can request reactivation in writing through the branch manager; after more than five years, new KYC is required.

How can a banking complaint be escalated in Bangladesh?

Start with the branch and then the bank's complaint cell at branch, zonal, or head-office level. If the bank's response does not resolve the matter, contact Bangladesh Bank's CIPC through hotline 16236, email, online submission, or written complaint.

Banks in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's banking system includes scheduled banks under Bangladesh Bank's control, specialized institutions, foreign banks, and both conventional and Islami Shariah-based private banks. Banks provide deposit accounts, payments, cards, and digital access through branches, ATMs, agents, and online or mobile channels. The institution chosen affects available products, fees, access points, and card or app acceptance, while deposit protection currently covers up to BDT 200,000 per depositor at each institution.

Tip

Choose a scheduled bank according to the access channels, account type, published fees, and payment services you will actually use in Bangladesh. If your deposits exceed BDT 200,000, account for the protection ceiling per depositor and institution instead of assuming that all balances receive the same protection. Treat security controls, card handling, and complaint escalation as part of the bank choice.

byJannat&Sabbir

Bangladesh Bank (BB) is the central bank, regulator, and supervisor under the Bangladesh Bank Order 1972, the Bank Company Act 1991, and the Payment and Settlement System Act 2024. BB's status on 5 September 2026 lists 63 scheduled banks: 7 state-owned commercial banks, 3 specialized banks, 43 private commercial banks, and 9 foreign commercial banks. The private commercial banks comprise 33 conventional banks and 10 Islami Shariah-based banks. One licensed digital commercial bank had not yet received permission for commercial operations. Five non-scheduled banks serve special purposes and do not provide the full range of banking functions. Finance companies are separate from banks and cannot take demand deposits or issue cheques, pay-orders, or demand drafts. Customers can use branches, ATMs, cash recycling machines, cash deposit machines, agent banking, internet banking, mobile banking, and mobile financial service (MFS) agents or bank branches. From 1 September 2026, electronic know-your-customer checks can use a National Identity (NID) number, date of birth, and fingerprint or face matching. Banks may offer self-onboarding or assisted onboarding. Missing an NID alone does not exclude an applicant; the bank can use regular KYC and additional checks. Simplified and regular e-KYC lead to different transaction limits. A Limited Transactions Account allows cash deposits or withdrawals up to BDT 100,000 per transaction and BDT 300,000 per month, while transfers are limited to BDT 250,000 per transaction and BDT 500,000 per month. Foreign remittance and government-to-person payments follow the guideline without these stated limits. The Election Commission's NID Wing supplies the identity source, while the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) handles anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing controls. Common accounts include savings accounts, current accounts, fixed deposits or FDRs, Special Notice Deposits (SNDs), and special deposit schemes. Banks offer both conventional and Islami Shariah-based products. Personal retail accounts have no minimum balance and no maintenance fee; an average balance of BDT 10,000 or less also attracts no maintenance fee. Other charges depend on the bank and should appear in its Schedule of Charges online or at a branch. Bangladesh's Deposit Protection Act 2026 replaced the Bank Deposit Insurance Act 2000, and BB manages the Deposit Protection System. Protection is limited to BDT 200,000 per depositor at each institution, with accounts at the same institution aggregated. Finance companies are scheduled to enter the system from 1 July 2028. MFS balances are not automatically bank deposits; they operate under a trust-cum-settlement arrangement. Bangladesh's payment systems serve different purposes. The Bangladesh Automated Clearing House Payment System (BACPS) handles cheque imaging and clearing. The Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN) supports paperless interbank credits and debits, including payroll, remittances, government payments, and bills. The National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) connects interbank ATM, point-of-sale, and internet-banking transfers. Bangladesh Real Time Gross Settlement (BD-RTGS) handles high-value or time-critical transfers, usually from BDT 100,000, with a customer fee capped at BDT 100. The Interoperable Digital Payment Transaction Platform (IDTP), the national TakaPay card scheme, and Bangla QR support interoperable digital payments. MFS supports cash-in, cash-out, person-to-person, person-to-business, business-to-person, person-to-government, and government-to-person payments. MFS does not provide outward cross-border transfers; inward remittances arrive through scheduled-bank channels in BDT. Banks issue debit, credit, prepaid, and virtual cards. Scheduled commercial banks issue credit cards, while foreign-currency cards are available only through authorized dealer banks. A credit-card applicant must be at least 18 and meet the bank's e-TIN, clean CIB, and KYC requirements. The maximum unsecured personal credit-card limit is BDT 2,000,000, and the total secured limit is BDT 4,000,000. Cash advances may not exceed 50% of the card limit, and the effective annual interest rate may not exceed 25%. Activation requires OTP consent. Banks issue statements monthly and provide at least 14 days before interest is charged. Card complaints should be clarified within 30 calendar days, and loss or suspected misuse can be reported and the card blocked at any time through the bank's 24-hour channel. Two-factor authentication is required for online, e-commerce, interbank, and card-not-present transactions. Banking security controls include anti-skimming measures, PIN encryption, fraud detection, transaction alerts, and ATM CCTV operating around the clock with recordings kept for at least one year. The Cybersecurity Framework V1.0 and ICT Security V4.0 set additional controls, including business-continuity planning and annual external IT or ICT audits for digital banks. Customers should keep PINs and OTPs secret, check alerts, and report suspected misuse immediately. Each bank should maintain a complaint cell at branch, zonal, and head-office level. A complaint can be escalated from the branch to the bank's complaint cell and then to Bangladesh Bank's Customer Interest Protection Centre (CIPC). CIPC accepts complaints online, in writing, by email at bb.cipc@bb.org.bd, or through hotline 16236 on working days during office hours. Keep transaction records, contact details, and the bank's final response. A current or SND account can become inoperative or dormant after at least six months without a customer transaction. For savings accounts, the period is at least 18 months. Government, minor, and court accounts are excluded from these rules. Reactivation requires a written request to the branch manager; after more than five years, the bank requires new KYC, but it may not charge a reactivation fee. After more than ten years without a transaction, the balance becomes an unclaimed deposit and transfers to BB. If no claim is made during the following year, it moves to a government account.