Bangladesh Bank has instructed commercial banks to ensure uninterrupted online banking services and maintain adequate cash at ATMs as the country heads into a long nine-day closure for the Eid holidays.
With most offices, banks, and financial institutions set to remain closed for nine days on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the central bank has directed banks to keep sufficient cash in automated teller machine (ATM) booths to facilitate smooth transactions.
Additionally, banks have been asked to ensure that point-of-sale (POS) terminals, online payment gateways, and mobile financial services (MFS) remain operational at all times.
Bangladesh Bank issued a notification in this regard on Monday. The notification instructed banks and financial institutions to ensure uninterrupted transactions through ATMs, POS terminals, QR codes, internet banking, online payment gateways, and MFS.
The central bank also directed banks to provide round-the-clock service at ATM booths, promptly address any technical issues, and ensure an adequate supply of cash.
Furthermore, security personnel must remain vigilant at ATM booths at all times, and bank officials must conduct regular inspections.
The notification also emphasised the need to maintain 24/7 POS and QR code services and to raise awareness among merchants and customers to prevent fraud.
For internet banking and online payment gateways, the central bank instructed banks to implement a two-factor authentication system for card-based "card-not-present" transactions. Meanwhile, all banks or their MFS subsidiaries must ensure uninterrupted transaction services and adequate cash supply at the agent level.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
