Bangladesh Bank has done something unusual this week. It has ordered every bank in the country to open on both Saturday and Sunday, right before slamming the doors shut for a full seven consecutive days. Millions of garment workers, traders, and everyday customers have a very tight window to settle their finances. Here is everything you need to know before the longest banking holiday of the year begins.
What the New Bangladesh Bank Circular Actually Says
Bangladesh Bank issued a formal circular on Monday, May 18, sending it directly to the chief executives of all scheduled banks in the country.
All bank branches and sub-branches across Bangladesh will remain open on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, following completely normal banking hours. Customers can walk in and carry out any regular transaction on both days without restriction.
The directive follows a May 14 notification from the Ministry of Public Administration, which officially cancelled the weekly holiday on Saturday, May 23, and declared it a full working day. As a result, May 24 becomes the last complete banking day before the Eid break begins.
Commercial banks will then remain closed from Monday, May 25, through Sunday, May 31, totalling seven straight days off. Banking operations are set to fully resume on June 1.
Garment Workers Get Special Banking Days During Eid
The central bank did not stop at just keeping branches open this weekend. It went further to protect the wages of millions of workers who rely on timely pay ahead of Eid.
Bangladesh Bank has directed bank branches in key industrial zones to remain open on a limited basis on May 25 and May 26, specifically to process salaries, festival bonuses, and other allowances for Ready-Made Garment sector workers.
The areas covered under this special arrangement are:
- Dhaka Metropolitan
- Ashulia
- Tongi
- Gazipur
- Savar
- Bhaluka
- Narayanganj
- Chattogram
These branches will operate from 10:00am to 3:00pm. However, customer transactions will only be accepted from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Operations in these locations will run with limited staff, but the central bank has made it clear that adequate security must be maintained throughout.
The scale of workers this decision affects is enormous. The Bangladesh Ready-Made Garment sector employs over 4.4 million workers, with approximately 60 percent of them being women. The RMG sector alone accounts for over 84 percent of Bangladesh’s total export earnings, making it the economic spine of the nation. For these workers, receiving their Eid bonus and salary on time is not a convenience. It is survival.
This year, the central bank’s proactive banking schedule shows a clear understanding of that pressure.
Port Branches to Run Through the Holiday Week
Trade does not stop for Eid. Bangladesh Bank knows this, and the circular reflects it.
Bank branches, sub-branches, and booths located inside sea ports, land ports, and airport customs zones have been instructed to stay operational round-the-clock from May 25 all the way through May 31. The only exception is on Eid day itself.
This ensures that import and export activities tied to Bangladesh’s vital trade corridors remain uninterrupted even during the longest holiday of the year.
Bangladesh Bank has also directed these branches to coordinate closely with local administrations and port and customs authorities to prevent bottlenecks. The instruction is clear: trade flows must not stall because of the holiday schedule.
Officials and employees who work during the holiday period will be entitled to allowances under the existing rules and regulations, the central bank confirmed.
What You Should Do Before Banks Close on May 24
With a seven-day banking blackout beginning on May 25, the pressure is now on individuals and businesses to act fast.
Here is a quick checklist of what to do before May 24:
- Complete all pending fund transfers and salary disbursements
- Settle any outstanding loan instalments or bill payments
- Withdraw enough cash for the holiday period from ATMs or branches
- Process any urgent import-export related banking documents
- Confirm whether your nearest branch falls under the industrial zone category if you need to transact on May 25 or 26
Mobile banking and online banking services are expected to remain accessible throughout the holiday, but for large cash transactions or document-heavy banking needs, visiting a branch before May 24 is the safest approach.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange is also operating normally this Saturday, May 17, with stock market transactions running from 10:00am to 2:30pm. The same arrangement applies on May 24, giving investors one final trading window before the extended break.
Bangladesh Bank’s decision this year reflects a maturing central bank that is thinking not just about financial institutions but about the real people at the end of the banking chain. From the garment worker in Gazipur waiting for her Eid bonus, to the trader at Chattogram port trying to clear a shipment, this circular was written with all of them in mind. As the country heads into one of its most celebrated festivals, the financial system is working hard so that millions can celebrate without worry. Share your thoughts in the comments below on whether Bangladesh Bank’s holiday banking arrangement works well for workers and businesses across the country.
