Customers of merged five banks can withdraw up to Tk 10 lakh for emergencies

The Bangladesh Bank has further expanded withdrawal facilities for customers of the five merged Shariah-based banks. Now, they can withdraw up to Tk 10 lakh not only for their own medical treatment but also for the medical needs of family members and other urgent requirements . The decision was made at a meeting of the Bangladesh Bank Board of Directors on Wednesday, chaired by Governor Mostakur Rahman.

The new facility applies to customers of First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank and EXIM Bank . Previously, the repayment scheme only allowed withdrawals for a depositor's own medical treatment . The revised scheme has also prioritised treatment needs for parents, children, siblings and spouses, while also permitting withdrawals for other unforeseen emergencies.

A Bangladesh Bank official said many depositors face sudden financial needs beyond their own medical treatment, including healthcare costs of family members and other urgent household expenses. The amendment was introduced to address those realities and allow customers quicker access to their funds when needed.

Last year, the interim government merged the five crisis-hit Shariah-based banks to form Sammilito Islami Bank, setting its paid-up capital at Tk 35,000 crore . Under the Deposit Insurance Fund, Tk 3,887 crore has so far been paid to 822,000 depositors, including Tk 1,600 crore to 350,000 customers of First Security Islami Bank alone.

According to central bank data, at the end of last December, the total loans of the merged five banks stood at Tk 1,95,000 crore, against collateral of Tk 47,900 crore (24.56 percent of total loans). The defaulted loans now stand at Tk 1,70,500 crore, which is 87.43 percent of total loans.