Banking transaction hours, currently from 10am to 3pm, will continue until June 16, as the government extended the countrywide lockdown until the said date, to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The Bangladesh Bank (BB) issued a circular on Sunday for all banks, complying with the Cabinet Division's latest directives.
Banks can keep offices open until 4:30pm to carry out their necessary activities, said the Bangladesh Bank circular.
Also Read - Banking hours extended to 3pm until June 6
They have been operating during the same hours since May 31, while generally operating from 10am to 4pm during normal circumstances.
The BB circular said all other instructions would remain unchanged as per the circular of April 13.
The April 13 circular said banks can keep one non-AD branch open within a 2km radius in the city corporation areas and at upazila.
In addition, the level one branch of each bank can remain open on Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday.
Banks will have to operate with limited staff under a roster system, and provide transportation for staff during the period.
According to the same circular, banks have to ensure the operation of ATM booths by supplying adequate cash in the machines to facilitate card transactions.
Also Read - Banks will be open in districts on strict lockdown
Evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further notice.
The BB circular said that banks have to ensure several services during operating hours, including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, the release of remittance, encashment of different instruments, and receipts from bill payments of other utilities.
BB said banks have to continue services like disbursement of loans, incentives, payment of salaries of different industries, and the purchase of export bills, loan sanction, and distribution.
Banks have to follow instructions for keeping branches located in port areas open in collaboration with the local administration and other authorities, as per the circular issued on August 5 last year.
