Bangladeshi deposits in Swiss banks rise 41% in a year, SNB data shows

The total funds hit a near-record high of over Tk 126 billion by the end of 2025

Bangladeshi deposits in Swiss banks have increased by nearly 41 percent over the past year, according to the latest data from the Swiss National Bank (SNB).

The SNB’s annual report shows that deposits by Bangladesh-linked individuals and institutions in Swiss banks rose to 8.341 billion Swiss francs in 2025, up from 5.895 billion francs in 2024.

In Bangladeshi currency, the amount is estimated at Tk 126.78 billion.

The data also shows that after declining for two consecutive years, deposits stood at just 177 million Swiss francs at the end of 2023 -- the lowest level in 28 years.

The figure has since increased for two consecutive years.

According to SNB data, Bangladeshi deposits in Swiss banks first crossed 1 billion francs in 2006, during the last year of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.

That year, deposits rose from 972 million francs to 1.243 billion francs.

In 2007, under the first year of the military-backed caretaker government, the amount nearly doubled to 2.43 billion francs.

During the Awami League government, deposits stood at 1.523 billion francs in 2011 and rose steadily to 6.619 billion francs in 2016.

The figure declined to 4.813 billion francs in 2017 but rose again to 6.177 billion francs in 2018, the election year.

In 2021, deposits reached 8.711 billion francs -- the highest level on record.

However, the amount fell sharply to 55.2 million francs in 2022 and further to 177 million francs in 2023.

The SNB publishes country-wise deposit data annually in line with international anti-corruption reporting standards.

While it provides an overview of liabilities held in Swiss banks, it does not disclose individual account details.

Swiss banking confidentiality laws have historically made the country attractive to wealthy depositors, though Switzerland has in recent years eased disclosure rules on foreign-held funds.

Anti-corruption and governance organisations in Bangladesh say a significant portion of such funds is believed to be illicitly earned and transferred abroad.