Banks near cattle markets to remain open till 8pm on Friday
Banks have also been instructed to keep branches in industrial areas open on this day
The Bangladesh Bank has asked banks to extend the transaction hours of branches near the cattle markets of Dhaka's two city corporations till 8pm on July 31 to ease transactions.
The central bank gave the instruction in a circular issued on July 27.
Banks will have to extend activities under special arrangement and can choose which branches near the cattle markets will be kept open, read the circular.
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Although Friday is a weekly holiday and also a government holiday for Eid-ul-Adha, banks will have to remain open from 11am to 8pm on this day, too, it added.
The central bank also asked banks to set up temporary booths at cattle markets while following proper security guidelines.
Banks' staff who will work during the extended time will get a special allowance, the circular read.
As there will be many traders and buyers at the cattle markets of Dhaka's two city corporations, it will be important to ensure the security of financial transactions. Banks closest to the cattle markets can give this support.
Also, the Bangladesh Bank recently instructed banks to provide fake currency detection services – manned by experienced cash officers – at cattle markets in Dhaka city.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, 18 cattle markets were set up at the city corporations of Dhaka, and 19 banks will provide fake currency detection service there.
In another circular issued yesterday, the Bangladesh Bank asked banks to keep their branches in the industrial belt open on July 31 to facilitate the sale of export bills of apparel factories, and the payment of salaries and bonuses for workers.
Banks were asked to remain open from 10am to 1pm, but transactions will be made from 10am to 12pm on the day.
The banks' branches in industrial areas – that have garment factories – like Dhaka Metropolitan, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram must remain open.
Also, the central bank will keep its clearing system open from 10am to 12pm to facilitate cheque clearing, the circular said.
