Bangladesh Bank directs all banks to ensure ATMs have cash through the Eid holidays

With Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, the Bangladesh Bank has directed commercial banks to ensure festivities are not dampened due to lack of cash during a prolonged holiday.

With the lunar calendar predicting Eid celebrations July 6 Wednesday, July 5, 6 and 7 have been declared public holidays.

July 3 happens to be a Sunday and the government has declared July 4 as a holiday.

July 1 and 2 happen to be weekend holidays, giving the vacation a start from July 1.

The central bank, anticipating a cash crunch, has asked the banks to make sure that ATMs are kept well stocked to meet the festive demands cash.

The apex bank has directed that the ATMs be guarded and kept open round the clock.

Point of sales networks are also to be kept operational at all times and additional security measures adopted for online payment gateways.

Banks have been directed to send SMS alerts in the event of any transaction to prevent funds transfer with cloned cards.

The central bank has also requested branches close to textile hubs to remain open on July 4, although the FBICCI has requested such branches to remain open on July 2, 3 and 4.

Customers have been asked to guard against fraudsters, who may use the festive mood to swindle money.