Millions of bank clients across Bangladesh have been plunged into severe distress after key card, ATM, and digital transaction services were abruptly suspended across 30 commercial banks for system maintenance and network migration, with users complaining of zero to no prior warning.
The massive nationwide outage—which primarily impacts automated teller machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (POS) terminals, Cash Recycling Machines (CRMs), Quick Response (QR) payments, and online transfers—began at 9pm on Sunday and is set to drag on until 12pm on October 10.
The multi-day freeze stems from a scheduled system migration of the Q-Cash network, along with routine IT infrastructure upgrades across participating institutions.
Frustrated consumers flooded social media with complaints after encountering transaction failures during emergency medical payments, urgent purchases, and routine cash withdrawals. Many asserted that had banks properly alerted them in advance, they could have withdrawn cash or secured alternative payment options.
Responding to the public outcry, Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson and Executive Director Arief Hossain Khan described the simultaneous 30-bank blackout as a "coincidence," explaining that individual banks independently scheduled their annual maintenance routines within the same period after obtaining regulatory clearance.
"We have spoken with the respective banks to ensure whether they adequately informed and alerted their clients," Khan said, acknowledging the hardship faced by account holders.
The institutions affected by the service freeze include Bank Asia, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Janata Bank, Bengal Commercial Bank, Community Bank, Jamuna Bank, Midland Bank, Meghna Bank, Mercantile Bank, Modhumoti Bank, National Bank, NRBC Bank, NCC Bank, Rupali Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Shimanto Bank, Social Islami Bank, Trust Bank, and Uttara Bank, among others.
Although several banks claimed to have sent notices via SMS, social media, and official websites, consumers argued that the limited outreach failed to provide clear, actionable warnings for an outage lasting nearly a week.
Industry experts and central bank officials emphasized that while technical upgrades are essential for cybersecurity, future system migrations demand far more transparent and proactive communication to prevent widespread public disruption.
Customer guidelines
Customers have been advised to check the schedules of relevant services through their respective banks' SMS alerts, websites, mobile applications, or branch offices until operations return to normal.
For urgent transactions, customers may utilize alternative options, including other bank accounts, different cards, mobile financial services (MFS), or any authorized transaction methods.
However, risks of fraud increase during such periods. Customers are strictly urged not to share their card PINs, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), system passwords, or confidential banking details with any unfamiliar individual or entity.
Bank officials stated that if system migration or maintenance work finishes ahead of schedule, the affected services may resume earlier than anticipated.
While tech-based services across 30 banks are undergoing a temporary suspension, the country's overall banking system has not shut down. Nevertheless, the incident highlights the critical need for advance and transparent communication to minimize public inconvenience during planned system outages.