Banks to remain closed for five days during Durga Puja

DHAKA: Scheduled banks across Bangladesh will remain closed for five consecutive days from October 20 to 24 on the occasion of Durga Puja and the regular weekly holidays, according to a Bangladesh Bank circular issued on Monday.

Banks will remain closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 20-22, for Durga Puja, followed by the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.

However, all scheduled banks will remain open on Saturday, October 17, as usual, the circular said.

The central bank’s Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department issued the directive to the managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks operating in the country.

The circular instructed banks operating in seaports, land ports and airports, including port and customs areas, to keep their branches and sub-branches operational up to seven days a week in line with an earlier circular issued on August 5, 2019.

These branches may make necessary arrangements in consultation with local administrations and the relevant port or customs authorities to ensure essential banking services during the holidays, particularly those related to import and export activities.

The directive was issued under Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991.