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Published : 09 Jul 2025, 01:49 AM
Bangladesh Bank is forming a Tk 250 million special fund to support the families of those killed and the people injured in the July Uprising.
The central bank will contribute Tk 140 million, while the remaining Tk 110 million will come from 11 other commercial banks.
Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced this at a bankers’ meeting on Tuesday.
Earlier, he held separate talks with managing directors of these banks, each reporting net profits over Tk 4 billion in FY2025.
“This is an independent initiative by Bangladesh Bank,” said the bank’s spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan.
“The fund is aimed at supporting victims of the Uprising,” he added.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India on Aug 5 last year after a mass uprising toppled her government.
Muhammad Yunus took office as interim head on Aug 8.
Tuesday’s meeting was the first gathering of all bank managing directors with the governor since then.
The last such meeting was held on Sept 4, 2024.
Speaking after the meeting, Mutual Trust Bank Managing Director Syed Mahbubur Rahman said: “A fund will be formed by banks to help families of martyrs and injured.
“Bangladesh Bank and other commercial banks will participate.”
He also said banks were directed to curb under-invoicing and money laundering.
Mahbubur noted that banks have been tasked with resolving the issue of export earnings not being repatriated despite shipments.
According to him, a fund has been created for startup companies, with discussions under way to provide them with capital support.
“The government is now encouraging Treasury bills and bonds more than savings certificates,” he said.
“Banks have been advised to promote these options to the public in a way that encourages investment, just like deposit schemes.”
Bangladesh Bank expects inflation to remain favourable and fall further.
Mahbubur said discussions included the possibility of easing policy rates as inflation drops.
The governor issued several directives to stabilise and strengthen the banking sector.
Emphasis was also placed on digital banking, urging banks to ensure customers can access services online or through mobile apps, central bank’s spokesperson Arief said.
