Banks and financial institutions across Bangladesh will suspend their regular operations for five consecutive days from Tuesday, 20 October, as the country observes the Hindu festival of Durga Puja. Trading at the country’s two principal stock exchanges—the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE)—will also remain suspended during the period.
According to Bangladesh Bank’s holiday schedule, the three-day public holiday for Durga Puja will run from 20 to 22 October. These holidays will be followed by the regular weekend on Friday, 23 October, and Saturday, 24 October, extending the break to five consecutive days. Normal banking operations are expected to resume after the holiday period, subject to the applicable schedules announced by the authorities.
To help customers complete essential transactions before the extended closure, banks were kept open on Saturday, 17 October. Banking services were provided as on a regular working day, giving individuals and businesses an additional opportunity to settle payments and attend to other financial requirements ahead of the festival.
Limited Banking Services to Continue at Ports
Although regular banking services will remain suspended during the holiday, selected bank branches and booths in seaports, land ports and airports will continue to provide limited services to support the country’s import and export activities.
Bangladesh Bank has instructed the relevant banks to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that essential trade-related transactions can continue at ports and customs areas throughout the holiday period. The arrangements are to be made in consultation with local administrations, port authorities and customs officials.
The provision is particularly important for businesses involved in international trade, as delays in financial transactions can affect the movement and clearance of goods. Importers and exporters often depend on banking services to complete payments and other trade-related formalities. Maintaining limited banking operations at key transport and customs facilities is therefore intended to minimise disruption to commercial activities while most branches remain closed.
However, the availability of services will depend on the arrangements made by individual banks and the requirements of the relevant port or customs facility. Customers involved in time-sensitive transactions should confirm the operating hours and services available at their designated branches before visiting.
Stock Trading to Remain Suspended
Trading at both the DSE and the CSE will also remain closed during the five-day holiday. Investors will not be able to conduct regular share transactions on the exchanges while the holiday schedule is in effect.
The suspension is linked to the banking holiday and the operational relationship between the financial system and stock market activities. Banking services play an important role in the settlement of transactions, the transfer of funds and other financial processes associated with securities trading. Aligning the exchanges’ schedules with the public and weekly holidays allows the relevant financial operations to follow a common timetable.
For investors, the extended break means that regular trading opportunities will be unavailable during the period. Those planning to buy or sell shares may wish to review their financial commitments and investment requirements before the exchanges close. Investors should also consult official announcements from the exchanges for confirmation of the next trading session.
The holiday is expected to affect routine banking services across the country, including transactions that require direct assistance from bank branches. Customers may still be able to access certain services through automated teller machines (ATMs), mobile financial services and digital banking platforms, depending on the availability and operating arrangements of individual providers. Such facilities, however, may not replace every service normally offered at a branch, and some transactions may be subject to processing delays.
Durga Puja is one of the major religious festivals celebrated by Hindu communities in Bangladesh. While the five-day break will temporarily interrupt regular banking and stock market activities, the provision for limited services at key ports is intended to keep essential import and export operations moving.
Customers, businesses and investors are advised to plan ahead, complete time-sensitive transactions before the holiday and check the relevant institutions’ announcements regarding service availability and the resumption of normal operations.