Banks' transaction hours have increased by half an hour more, as they will now operate from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm from May 31 to June 6.
The central bank issued a circular on Sunday for all banks, complying with the Cabinet Division's latest directives on the countrywide lockdown to contain coronavirus transmission.
The banks can keep offices open until 4:00 pm to carry out their necessary activities, said the BB circular.
Banks were previously operating from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, while before the pandemic, they operated from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The BB circular said all other instructions would remain unchanged as per the circular of April 13.
Also Read - Bank transaction hours from 10am to 2:30pm until May 30
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.
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, while evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further notice.
Banks will also have to take measures to provide transportation for the staff during the period.
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.
Also Read - Limited scale banking to continue until May 23
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, it said.
They also have to operate with limited staff under a roster system.
