Banks to operate 10am-3pm as part of energy saving

The Bangladesh Bank has reduced banking transaction hours as part of efforts to save electricity and fuel. The new schedule will take effect from Sunday.

According to a circular issued on Saturday, April 4, bank transactions will now take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Official banking activities will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Previously, bank transactions were held from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and official activities continued until 6:00 pm.

The central bank said the decision was made to align with the government's revised office schedule announced after a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Under that decision, government offices will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and shops and shopping malls must close by 6:00 pm.

Authorities said austerity measures in power and energy use have been adopted amid the global fuel crisis and price hikes. The government has also moved to control public expenditure.

The cabinet secretary earlier announced that purchases of new vehicles, water vessels, aircraft and computer equipment would remain suspended for three months. Internal training has been cut by 50 per cent, and government-funded foreign training and travel have been suspended.

Government spending in the fuel, electricity and gas sectors must be reduced by 30 per cent, and unnecessary travel expenses have also been ordered to be cut.