Banking transactions and stock market trading across Bangladesh will remain suspended on Wednesday as banks observe a scheduled holiday for half-yearly account closing.
All regular customer transactions at banks will remain closed for the day. Trading at the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange will also be suspended because stock market clearing and settlement activities are linked to the banking system.
Bangladesh Bank, bank head offices and some designated important branches will remain open on a limited scale. Officials will carry out only administrative and accounting work, including the reconciliation of branch-level accounts and preparation of half-yearly financial reports.
Bangladesh Bank sources said July 1 is observed every year as the half-yearly closing day for the banking sector. Banks suspend customer transactions on the day so officials can complete the time-consuming process of compiling and reconciling accounts without disruption.
Customers will not be able to deposit or withdraw cash at bank branches. Cheque clearing, demand drafts and pay orders will also remain suspended.
ATM booths will remain operational, but card transactions may be limited to customers’ own banks, with interbank ATM transactions unavailable. Some online banking and mobile financial services, including selected interbank digital transactions, will continue.
Banks also observe a holiday on December 31 every year to complete annual closing activities. In practice, banks keep regular transactions suspended on July 1 and December 31 each year to complete internal financial reconciliation.
bd-pratidin/GR
