PSD Circular Letter No. 09: Continuation of Uninterrupted Banking and Payment Services in Response to COVID-19

Payment Systems Department Bangladesh Bank Head Office, Dhaka. PSD Circular Letter No. 09/2021 Date: 30 Asharh 1428 14 July 2021 Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer All Scheduled Banks Head Office Dear Sir,

Context of Continuation of Uninterrupted Banking and Payment Services in Response to COVID-19

In continuation of the DOS Circular Letter No. 29 dated 13/07/2021 of the Department of Offsite Supervision (DOS) and PSD Circular No. 09/2021 dated 30/06/2021 of this department regarding the continuation of banking services, the operating hours for interbank payment platforms for the provision of special banking services on the following dates are determined as follows:

a. 15, 18 & 19 July 2021 - (1) Transactions through Bangladesh Interbank Electronic Fund Transfer (BIEFT): (a) BIEFT transactions on working days:

• Morning Session: 12:00 PM
• Afternoon Session: 3:00 PM
• BIEFT transactions on holidays:
• Morning Session: 12:30 PM
• Afternoon Session: 5:00 PM (b) Two sessions of BEFTN will remain open on the relevant days according to the existing schedule.

(2) The transaction schedule for Bangladesh Clearing House Automated Clearing House (BCHACH) is determined from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. However, only customs duty-related taxes, fees, charges, etc., and interbank transactions can be executed until 5:00 PM.

b. 17 & 20 July 2021 - (1) Transactions through Bangladesh Interbank Electronic Fund Transfer (BIEFT): (a) BIEFT transactions on working days:

• Morning Session: 11:30 AM
• Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM
• BIEFT transactions on holidays:
• Morning Session: 12:00 PM
• Afternoon Session: 2:30 PM (b) Two sessions of BEFTN will remain open on the relevant days according to the existing schedule.

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(2) The transaction schedule for Bangladesh Clearing House Automated Clearing House (BCHACH) is determined from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. However, only customs duty-related taxes, fees, charges, etc., and interbank transactions can be executed until 3:00 PM.

It is mentioned that for the benefit of the sale of export bills by various establishments related to the Eid-ul-Azha eve ready-made garment industry and the payment of salaries, bonuses, and other allowances to workers/employees/officials working in the said industry, only checks, EFTs, and RTGS payments of bank branches in the areas mentioned in DOS Circular Letter 29 will be processed. In this regard, for the proper operation of the clearing system, checks deposited at bank branches outside the areas mentioned in the relevant DOS Circular Letter 29 must be returned.

c. From 25 July 2021 until further instructions are issued - (1) Transactions through Bangladesh Interbank Electronic Fund Transfer (BIEFT): (a) BIEFT transactions on working days:

• Morning Session: 11:30 AM
• Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM
• BIEFT transactions on holidays:
• Morning Session: 12:00 PM
• Afternoon Session: 2:30 PM (b) Two sessions of BEFTN will remain open on the relevant days according to the existing schedule.

(2) The transaction schedule for Bangladesh Clearing House Automated Clearing House (BCHACH) is determined from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM. However, only customs duty-related taxes, fees, charges, etc., and interbank transactions can be executed until 2:30 PM.

Also, until further instructions are issued from 25/07/2021, the other instructions of PSD Circular No. 09/2021 issued on 30/06/2021 will remain unchanged. During the Eid-ul-Azha holiday, banks must take appropriate measures to ensure the security of payment-related systems and to manage risks.

Yours faithfully,

(Muhammad Badujjaman Dider) Deputy General Manager Phone: 9530611

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