Under a notification issued on Monday, all authorised dealer (AD) banks are now permitted to remit funds on behalf of individual visa applicants where a visa bond or refundable security deposit is mandatory for obtaining a visa.

“We’ve taken the latest measure to ease difficulties faced by Bangladeshi travellers during overseas visa applications,” a senior central banker said, explaining the main objective behind the initiative.

According to the notification, AD banks may also issue international or virtual cards in the applicant’s name, preloaded with the required amount of bond or security deposit.

Existing international cardholders under travel entitlement facilities may also reload their cards for the same purpose, provided the funds are used solely for visa-related requirements, it added.

The facility will be available against balances maintained in Exporters’ Retention Quota (ERQ) accounts, Resident Foreign Currency Deposit (RFCD) accounts, or through international cards issued against such accounts, subject to existing foreign exchange regulations.

Bankers and industry insiders said the policy would simplify visa processing for Bangladeshi applicants, particularly for countries such as the USA that require financial guarantees as part of visa procedures.

BBN/SSR/AD

Following the payment for the March-April period of 2026, the country’s gross forex reserves fell to $34.14 billion on Sunday from $35.62 billion on the previous working day.

Under the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition (BPM6), the reserves stood at $30.96 billion during the period under review, up from $29.48 billion earlier, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank (BB).

“Our forex reserves remain at a satisfactory level even after making the routine payment to the ACU,” a senior official of the central bank said in response to a query.

He added that Bangladesh is now capable of meeting more than five months’ worth of import payment obligations with its existing reserves.

“Higher remittance inflows and lower import payment obligations have contributed to an improvement in the country’s forex reserve position,” the central banker said.

According to the official, the central bank’s purchase of US dollars from commercial banks has also helped boost the reserves in recent months.

Bangladesh Bank has so far purchased $5.75 billion directly from banks since July 13 last year under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime, according to central bank data.

“We are now prioritising the stability of the US dollar exchange rate against the local currency despite ongoing geopolitical tensions,” the central banker said in response to another query.

He also noted that the country’s gross forex reserves could exceed $37 billion by the end of June if the government secures at least $2.0 billion in foreign loans.

Meanwhile, the ACU payment rose to $1.51 billion during the latest settlement period from $1.37 billion previously, mainly due to higher imports from ACU member countries, particularly India.

Under the existing arrangement, member countries settle outstanding import bills and related interest every two months.

Bangladesh imports various consumer goods, cotton, raw materials and capital machinery from ACU member countries, especially neighbouring India, according to central bankers.

The ACU is a regional arrangement involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, through which intraregional transactions among participating central banks are settled on a multilateral basis.

BBN/SSR/AD

The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method at a cut-off rate of BDT 122.75 per dollar, central bank officials said.

The latest intervention comes amid a sharp rise in inward remittances, which grew by over 46% to $456 million during May 1–4, compared to $312 million in the same period last year.

A senior BB official said the move aimed to offset excess dollar supply ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and maintain exchange rate stability, which is crucial for both exporters and remitters.

Since July 13 last year, the central bank has purchased $5.75 billion from banks under the current free-floating exchange rate regime, also helping gradually strengthen foreign exchange reserves.

Meanwhile, the country’s gross forex reserves rose to $35.30 billion on May 5 from $35.12 billion on April 23. Under the International Monetary Fund’s BMP6 methodology, reserves stood at $30.61 billion, up from $30.48 billion.

BBN/SSR/AD

The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method, with a cut-off rate of BDT 122.75 per dollar, according to officials of Bangladesh Bank (BB).

The latest intervention in the foreign exchange market comes amid a surge in inward remittances at the start of the month. Remittance inflows jumped nearly 258 per cent to $315 million during May 01–03, up from $88 million in the same period last year.

“We’ve purchased US dollars to keep the exchange rate stable by offsetting higher remittance inflows ahead of Eid-ul-Azha,” a senior BB official said, explaining the market move.

He added that stronger export earnings, particularly in April, have also boosted foreign currency inflows in the market.

Since July 13 last year, the central bank has bought $5.64 billion from banks under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime, according to the latest data. Such interventions are also helping gradually strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s gross forex reserves rose to $35.29 billion on May 04 from $35.12 billion on April 23, based on the central bank’s traditional calculation.

Under the IMF’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), reserves stood at $30.60 billion, up from $30.48 billion over the same period.

BBN/SSR/AD

The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method and the cutoff rate was BDT 122.75 per dollar, according to the central bank officials.

Just a day before, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) resumed dollar purchases after a six-week pause, signalling renewed intervention to stabilise the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency amid a surge in remittance inflows.

The central bank purchased $70 million on Wednesday from a Shariah-based bank in a similar auction.

The central bank of Bangladesh has so far bought $5.61 billion from banks directly since July 13 last under the prevailing free-floating   exchange rate arrangement, the central bank’s latest data showed.

The inflow of US dollars has increased in recent months due to lower import payment obligations and a stronger flow of inward remittances, according to market operators.

They also said such intervention will help keep the exchange rate stable despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

BBN/SSR/AD

The Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country’s central bank, issued a directive in this regard on Sunday, introducing a comprehensive new guideline for banks as part of broader efforts to promote a cashless economy and strengthen governance in credit card operations.

Under the revised framework, the ceiling for unsecured credit card loans has been increased to BDT 2.0 million from the previous BDT 1.0 million, allowing banks to extend higher credit facilities to customers without requiring collateral.

The latest directive comes amid a rapid rise in credit card usage in the country, particularly for everyday retail transactions, online purchases and bill payments.

According to the BB, the updated framework consolidates earlier circulars into a **comprehensive regulatory structure** designed to address emerging operational challenges and modernise credit card management in the banking sector.

The new guidelines place emphasis on strengthening risk management, safeguarding customer rights, enhancing transparency in transactions and encouraging responsible lending practices by banks.

The central bank also said the initiative aims to create a more secure and transparent payment environment, supporting the gradual expansion of digital transactions and the development of a cashless financial system in Bangladesh.

BBN/SSR/AD

The reserves rose to $35.04 billion from $34.86 billion a day earlier, according to the central bank’s traditional calculation method. The reserves were last above this level in October 2022, when they stood at $35.80 billion.

However, under the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (sixth edition), commonly known as BPM6, the reserves stood at $30.30 billion during the review period, up from $30.11 billion previously.

Officials said Bangladesh Bank is now working to raise reserves to $36.50 billion after settling the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) payment obligation. At that level, the country would be able to cover six months of import payments, meeting the global benchmark.

Over the past seven months, the central bank has purchased nearly $5.50 billion from banks to maintain exchange rate stability and encourage exporters and remitters.

As part of the ongoing intervention, it bought an additional $87 million from eight banks through a Multiple Price Auction in the interbank spot market on Tuesday. The cut-off rate was set at BDT 122.30 per dollar, officials said.

Earlier, on February 22, the central bank purchased $123 million from eight banks in a similar auction. Since July 13 last year, Bangladesh Bank has bought a total of $5.47 billion directly from banks under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime.

Officials noted that the central bank’s dollar purchases are aimed at absorbing excess foreign currency liquidity stemming from higher remittance inflows ahead of Eid.

Inward remittances rose by nearly 24 per cent to $2.57 billion during February 1–23 this year, compared to $2.08 billion in the same period last year.

Market operators said the interventions have helped stabilise the dollar-taka exchange rate, thereby encouraging both exporters and remitters. They also noted that the ongoing measures are contributing to a gradual strengthening of the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Meanwhile, yields on long-term treasury bonds declined on Tuesday, as banks opted to invest surplus liquidity in government securities amid weak private sector credit demand.

The cut-off yield on 15-year Bangladesh Government Treasury Bonds (BGTBs) fell to 10.34 per cent from 10.55 per cent, while the yield on 20-year BGTBs dropped to 10.44 per cent from 10.67 per cent, according to auction results.

The government raised BDT 20 billion through the issuance of BGTBs to partially finance its budget deficit.

“Most banks are eager to invest their excess liquidity in government securities, as private sector credit demand remains subdued amid uncertainty following the just-concluded national election,” a Bangladesh Bank official said.

Private sector credit growth slowed to 6.10 per cent year-on-year in December 2025, down from 6.58 per cent a month earlier, according to the latest central bank data.

Market participants said the central bank’s dollar purchases injected liquidity into the banking system in the form of taka, which in turn exerted downward pressure on bond yields.

Currently, five government bonds — with tenures of two, five, 10, 15 and 20 years — are traded in the market.

In addition, four treasury bills (T-bills) with maturities of 14 days, 91 days, 182 days and 364 days are auctioned to manage the government’s short-term borrowing from the banking system.

BBN/SSR/AD

The cut-off yield —commonly known as the interest rate— on the 91-day T-bills fell to 10.02 per cent from the previous 10.11 per cent.

The yield on 182-day T-bills dropped to 10.11 per cent from 10.22 per cent, while the 364-day T-bills declined to 10.07 per cent from 10.23 per cent earlier, according to auction results.

Earlier, on February 15, yields on all three tenors had also declined on similar grounds.

On the day, the government raised BDT 75 billion by issuing T-bills to partially finance its budget deficit.

“Most banks are eager to invest their excess liquidity in government securities, as private sector credit demand remains subdued amid uncertainty following the just-concluded national election,” a senior Bangladesh Bank (BB) official said while explaining the latest market situation.

Private sector credit growth stood at 6.10 per cent year-on-year in December 2025, down from 6.58 per cent a month earlier, according to the central bank’s latest data.

Market operators said the central bank’s dollar purchases injected liquidity into the market in the form of Bangladesh Taka (BDT), which in turn pushed bond yields lower.

As part of its ongoing open market operations, the BB on Sunday purchased $123 million from eight banks through an interbank spot market auction to help stabilise the exchange rate.

The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method, with the cut-off rate set at BDT 122.30 per dollar, according to central bank officials.

Data from the Bangladesh Bank showed that the central bank has so far purchased $5.38 billion directly from banks since July 13 under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime.

Central bankers said the dollar-buying move is aimed at maintaining exchange rate stability, preserving export competitiveness, and supporting steady remittance inflows.

They added that such interventions are also helping gradually rebuild the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Officials said the move aims to absorb excess foreign currency liquidity, prevent undue volatility in the exchange rate, and gradually strengthen the country’s reserve position.

As part of the ongoing mop-up drive, Bangladesh Bank purchased an additional US$105 million from seven banks through an interbank spot market auction on Thursday. The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method, with a cut-off rate of BDT 122.30 per dollar, according to central bank officials.

The latest intervention came amid stronger inward remittance inflows during the first 18 days of the current month ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.

Remittance inflows rose by 27.53 per cent to $2.13 billion during February 1–18 this year, compared with $1.67 billion in the same period last year.

Earlier, on February 18, the central bank had purchased another $109 million from eight banks through a similar interbank spot market auction.

According to the central bank’s latest data, Bangladesh Bank has bought $5.26 billion directly from banks since July 13 under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime.

“We’re mopping up the surplus inflow of foreign currency by increasing our purchases of US dollars from banks,” a senior BB official said while explaining the latest market situation.

The official added that higher remittance inflows ahead of Eid, coupled with lower import payment obligations, have recently widened the foreign exchange surplus.

He further noted that such intervention helps maintain stability in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Taka, thereby encouraging exporters and remitters.

“The ongoing intervention is also contributing to a gradual strengthening of the country’s foreign exchange reserves,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves rose to $34.78 billion on February 19 this year from $34.54 billion on February 17, according to the central bank’s traditional calculation method.

Under the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition (BPM6), the reserves stood at $30.06 billion during the period under review, up from $29.86 billion.

BBN/SSR/AD

The amount was bought under the Multiple Price Auction method, with a cut-off rate of BDT 122.30 per dollar, according to central bank officials.

The central bank’s latest intervention in the foreign exchange (forex) market came amid a stronger inflow of inward remittances during the first 17 days of the current month. Remittance inflows rose by nearly 25 per cent to $1.97 billion between February 1 and 17 this year, compared with $1.58 billion in the same period last year.

Under the prevailing free-floating exchange rate regime, the central bank has so far purchased $5.15 billion directly from banks since July 13 last year, official data showed.

“We’re purchasing US dollars from banks directly to offset the higher inflow of remittances ahead of the Holy Ramadan,” a senior BB official said, explaining the latest market situation.

Such intervention helps keep the exchange rate of the US dollar against the taka stable, which in turn encourages both exporters and remitters, the official added. “The ongoing intervention is also contributing to a gradual strengthening of the country’s foreign exchange reserves.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s gross forex reserves rose to $34.54 billion on February 17 this year from $34.32 billion a week earlier, based on the central bank’s traditional calculation.

Under the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition (BPM6), the country’s reserves stood at $29.86 billion during the same period, up from $28.69 billion.

BBN/SSR/AD