BRPD Circular Letter No. 26: Extension of Banking Hours and Keeping Branches Open Near Qurbani Cattle Markets in Dhaka South and North City Corporations

Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank of Bangladesh) Head Office Motijheel, Dhaka-1000 Bangladesh. Ref No.: BRPD Circular Letter No. 26 Banking Regulation and Policy Department Date: ---------------- 05 July 2022 21 Aashar 1429

To, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All Scheduled Banks operating in Bangladesh.

Context regarding keeping banking operations running during non-working hours at various bank branches/sub-branches in Dhaka Metropolitan City on the occasion of the upcoming sacred Eid-ul-Azha.

On the occasion of the upcoming sacred Eid-ul-Azha, a large number of traders gather at the Qurbani cattle markets operated under the supervision and management of Dhaka North and South City Corporations, and a huge amount of cash transactions take place. Consequently, the security of financial transactions at these markets is of great importance. It is mentioned that various banks' branches/sub-branches located at a distance from the Qurbani cattle markets usually conduct their regular operations. Traders dealing in Qurbani cattle can use these nearby branches/sub-branches to receive bank assistance for their cattle sale transactions. Furthermore, if the bank opens temporary booths at the cattle markets, traders can receive assistance from the said booths for financial transactions.

2. In view of the above, you are advised to take the following measures: a) Select branches/sub-branches near the Qurbani cattle markets of Dhaka North and South City Corporations (list attached) at your own discretion and take necessary measures to keep banking operations running during non-working hours (from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM) at the said branches/sub-branches until July 7, 2022; and keep normal banking operations running from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the said branches/sub-branches on the two days preceding Eid-ul-Azha, July 8 and 9, 2022 (Friday and Saturday, weekly holidays); b) Establish temporary booths at the Qurbani cattle markets at your own discretion, ensuring necessary security; c) Considering the current coronavirus situation, exercise utmost caution to handle health risks in the field of financial transactions at the booths established at the Qurbani cattle markets and the concerned branches/sub-branches; and d) Provide allowances to the staff/officials performing extra duty at the concerned branches/sub-branches/booths in accordance with rules.

Yours faithfully, (Maksuda Begum) Director (BRPD) Phone: 9530252