Bangladesh Bank earned Tk12,064 crore in interest income during the last FY26 by investing foreign exchange reserves in various sectors.
This marks the central bank's highest foreign investment income in the last three fiscal years, primarily driven by higher interest rates and coupon rates in the international market.
According to Bangladesh Bank's financial statements, Tk5,611 crore was earned in interest from investments in foreign bonds and US Treasury notes last fiscal year. Income was also generated from loans and deposits held in foreign banks, including Tk2,856 crore from loans given to banks and Tk2,725 crore from short-term deposits.
Another Tk871 crore came from other foreign assets.
In the previous FY25, Bangladesh Bank earned Tk7,703 crore from foreign currency financial assets, while in FY 24, this income was Tk6,556 crore.
Central bank officials noted that central banks worldwide typically invest foreign exchange reserves in government bonds, securities, and bank deposits.
Due to relatively high global interest rates in recent times, returns on these investments have increased.
In addition to reserve investments, Bangladesh Bank earns income by providing liquidity support to the government and commercial banks.
In the last fiscal year, the central bank earned Tk22,667 crore from such domestic sectors, with Tk21,570 crore coming as interest from loans extended to banks.
Additionally, the central bank earned Tk431 crore from commissions and discounts, Tk200 crore as dividends, and Tk475 crore from other sectors.
However, domestic sector earnings were higher in FY25, reaching Tk24,751 crore.
Central bank officials explained that to control inflation, the policy interest rate was maintained at 10% throughout the last fiscal year.
As a result, banks had to borrow funds from Bangladesh Bank at higher interest rates, boosting the central bank's interest income.
Overall, Bangladesh Bank's total operating income for FY26 reached Tk35,016 crore.
After deducting expenses, the net profit stood at Tk25,977 crore, which is Tk3,357 crore higher than the Tk22,620 crore recorded in the previous fiscal year.
It has been learned that Bangladesh Bank deposited the entire net profit of Tk25,977 crore from the last fiscal year into the government treasury.
Of this, Tk10,000 crore was deposited mid-fiscal year, and the remaining Tk15,977 crore was deposited recently.
During the same period, operational and other expenses of the central bank totaled Tk8,993 crore.
Currently, the country's total foreign exchange reserves stand at $36.38 billion, while gross reserves are at $31.47 billion.
