Bangladesh Bank has instructed all scheduled banks across the country to operate on Saturday, 17 October, to compensate for the extended public holidays announced for Durga Puja. Regular banking services will be suspended for three consecutive days, from 20 to 22 October, under the revised holiday schedule.
The decision was announced in a circular signed by Md Abdul Mannan, director of the relevant department at Bangladesh Bank. The circular states that the revised arrangements follow a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on 7 October.
Under the new schedule, all scheduled banks will remain closed on Tuesday, 20 October, Wednesday, 21 October, and Thursday, 22 October, in observance of Durga Puja. In exchange, the usual weekly holiday on Saturday, 17 October, has been cancelled, allowing banks to provide their regular services on that day.
The adjustment gives customers an opportunity to complete essential banking transactions before the festival break begins. Those who need to visit a branch for account-related matters, routine transactions or other services requiring assistance from bank staff may wish to plan ahead.
Five Consecutive Days Off for Bank Employees
The government announced an additional public holiday on 7 October as part of the arrangements for this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.
Under the previously announced holiday calendar, 20 October was designated a holiday by executive order for Maha Navami, while 21 October was a general public holiday for Vijaya Dashami. The government subsequently declared 22 October an additional holiday by executive order.
The three consecutive public holidays will be followed by the regular weekly holidays on Friday, 23 October, and Saturday, 24 October. As a result, bank employees will receive five consecutive days off, from 20 to 24 October.
Opening banks on 17 October is intended to balance the extended break with the need to maintain normal banking operations. It also provides customers with an additional opportunity to complete transactions before regular branch services are suspended.
Durga Puja is one of the major religious festivals celebrated by Bangladesh’s Hindu community. Public holidays during the festival affect the operating schedules of government institutions and many private organisations. Changes to banking hours can also influence the timing of payments and other financial transactions, making advance planning useful for individuals and businesses.
Limited Banking Services to Continue at Ports
Although regular banking services will be suspended during the festival holidays, Bangladesh Bank has instructed banks to maintain limited services at branches and booths in areas surrounding seaports, land ports and airports from 20 to 24 October.
The arrangement is intended to help keep import and export activities running during the extended holiday period. Banks may coordinate with local administrations, the relevant port authorities and customs officials to organise the necessary services.
Banking facilities are essential to international trade, where payments and other financial transactions often need to be completed in line with shipping schedules and customs procedures. An extended interruption to these services could cause delays in trade-related transactions. Maintaining limited banking operations at key transport and trading hubs is intended to reduce the risk of avoidable disruption.
The circular allows banks to make the necessary arrangements in consultation with the relevant authorities. However, the nature and availability of services during the holiday period will depend on the arrangements made by individual banks and the requirements of the respective port areas.
Businesses involved in imports and exports may therefore need to contact their banks in advance to confirm which services will be available and whether special arrangements are required for urgent transactions.
Directive Issued Under Banking Law
Bangladesh Bank said the instruction had been issued in the public interest under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991. The directive sets out the revised banking schedule while making provision for essential trade-related services during the extended holiday period.
The arrangements seek to accommodate the government’s festival holidays without completely interrupting banking support for international commerce. While ordinary branch operations will be available on Saturday, 17 October, regular services will remain suspended from 20 to 22 October. Limited banking services will continue at designated branches and booths in port areas from 20 to 24 October.
Customers are advised to take the revised timetable into account when planning branch visits and routine transactions. Businesses engaged in international trade should also confirm holiday arrangements with their respective banks to minimise the risk of delays.
Under the revised schedule, Saturday, 17 October, will be a regular banking day despite the usual weekly closure. The three-day Durga Puja break will then be followed by the weekend, giving bank employees five consecutive days off while allowing limited banking support for import and export activities to continue at major ports.