BFIU didn't block company accounts; banks, financial institutions may have done on their own accord
It also said the blocking of company accounts had resulted in the disruption of daily activities of companies, such as salary disbursement and import-export related transactions
A few banks and financial institutions had suspended transactions of some company accounts due to their association with individuals under investigation, but this wasn't at the direction of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the agency has said.
Clarifying the issue in a statement released today (9 September), the BFIU said since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, it only froze the accounts of individuals and sole proprietorships, but no company account has been blocked.
It said the blocking of company accounts had resulted in the disruption of daily activities of companies, such as salary disbursement and import-export related transactions.
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"Such activities were not directed by the central bank and are not desirable at all," it said.
Earlier on Sunday, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said, "The Bangladesh Bank has not frozen bank accounts of any business entities to ensure that all companies remain operational.
"Business groups will continue to operate as usual, and the salaries of their officers and employees will be paid."
The central bank governor further clarified that no bank accounts held by businesses belonging to S Alam Group or Beximco have been closed to date.
"Some people have spread misinformation about these issues; perhaps some banks themselves have done it on their own accord," he added.
