Bangladesh Bank Governor Says Depositors of Five Merged Banks May Begin Receiving Funds Within Two Weeks

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman has said that initiatives to return deposits to customers of the five merged Islamic banks are expected to begin within the next one to two weeks.

Speaking at a post-budget press conference for the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Friday, the governor addressed concerns regarding the status of the troubled banks and the repayment of depositors' funds.

Rahman rejected rumors circulating on social media that the current government had halted efforts related to the five merged Islamic banks after assuming office. He said Bangladesh Bank's work concerning the banks has continued uninterrupted.

The governor noted that he assumed office on February 24. Shortly afterward, the chairman of the merged banking group resigned. Although a candidate was initially appointed as Managing Director (MD), the individual later declined to take up the position.

As a result, Bangladesh Bank quickly issued a recruitment notice for a new MD, with applications accepted until March 25. Rahman explained that the evaluation and selection process required additional time, and a new Managing Director was eventually appointed. The entire process was completed in May.

He added that the latest meeting of the banks’ board of directors was held on Tuesday, marking another step forward in the restructuring process.

“Bangladesh Bank’s activities regarding the five merged banks are ongoing, and a decision on returning depositors’ funds will be taken very soon,” the governor said.

The press conference was also attended by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud (Tuku); Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan; Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon; Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid; State Minister for Finance and Planning Zonayed Saki; Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin; Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Rehan Asif Asad; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Abdus Sattar; Cabinet Secretary Dr. Nasimul Gani; National Board of Revenue Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan; and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Investment and Capital Markets Tanvir Gani.