Five-Day Bank holiday begins today

According to a Bangladesh Bank circular, banks will remain closed from October 20 to 22 for the festival, followed by the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday (October 23 and 24). However, banks were open on Saturday (October 17) as a regular working day ahead of the holidays.

Although regular banking operations will remain suspended, ATM services will continue to be available.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will also suspend trading for the five days as stock market transactions are linked to banking operations.

However, limited banking services will remain available at branches and booths in seaports, land ports and airports to facilitate import and export activities during the holidays.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed the concerned banks to coordinate with local administrations and port and customs authorities to ensure necessary services continue.

On October 7, the Public Administration Ministry announced government holidays from October 20 to 22 for Durga Puja. It also decided to keep government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices open on Saturday, October 17.

-AJM