Bangladesh received $2.27 billion in remittances during the first 26 days of April, Bangladesh Bank (BB) data shows.
Expatriates continued to send money home steadily, lifting overall figures despite some seasonal fluctuations.
State-owned commercial banks pulled in about $853.80 million. Sonali Bank led the pack with $325.94 million, while Agrani and Janata followed with $265.71 million and $178.91 million respectively. Private commercial banks dominated the remittance game, channelling $1.29 billion. Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC alone brought in $356.89 million, reinforcing its top position.
Trust Bank and BRAC Bank also posted significant volumes, drawing $176.95 million and $137.43 million each. Other private players like City Bank, Bank Asia, and Mercantile Bank chipped in notably, reflecting broader market competitiveness.
Specialized banks, mainly Bangladesh Krishi Bank, contributed $119.41 million. Foreign banks accounted for a tiny share, bringing in just $4.27 million in total.
Overall, remittance inflows maintained an even pace across the weeks. Between April 1 and 5, expatriates sent $119.19 million.
The second week saw a jump to $933.18 million. Inflows moderated slightly in the following weeks, standing at $666.36 million during April 13-19 and $552.32 million during April 20-26.
Analysts said the strong second-week surge helped balance the month's flow, as many migrant workers remitted additional funds for post-Eid expenses.
Compared to previous fiscal years, this year's figures remain encouraging. In fiscal 2024-25 so far, Bangladesh has logged $21.78 billion in remittances till March, edging closer to the previous year's annual record of $23.91 billion.
Remittance remains vital for Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves and economic stability. With the taka under pressure against the US dollar and inflation remaining high, inflows from overseas workers provide crucial breathing space.
The latest figures also underline the role of private banks and specialized initiatives in promoting legal money transfer channels. Officials stressed that digital remittance platforms, incentives, and reduced transaction costs played a key part in boosting official inflows.
