Regulatory Alerts2026-07-26
Added
Guidelines for Establishment, Relocation, Rent/Lease and Contract Renewal of Bank Business Centers, 2026
Bangladesh Bank has issued comprehensive guidelines for all scheduled banks operating in Bangladesh, superseding BRPD Circular No. 02 of January 19, 2023. These new directives, effective immediately under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991 (as amended up to 2023), mandate prior approval from Bangladesh Bank for establishing or relocating any bank business center, with specific exceptions for electronic booths, temporary booths (less than one month), and airport lounges. Banks must adhere to a 50% rural branch ratio for new establishments and avoid establishing more than one urban branch in the same city per year. The guidelines also detail conditions for SME/Agricultural branches, sub-branches, and various types of booths, including restrictions on financial transactions for certain center types and requirements for board approval and documentation for all applications.