Eid hangover lingers as banks reopen after a week

Bank transactions and stock market trading resumes, though attendance remains relatively low

Banks have reopened after a week-long holiday, with the festive mood of Eid still lingering on the first working day.

On Tuesday, banking and capital market transactions resumed at the usual time of 10am.

Attendance among bankers, however, was relatively low as many extended their break ahead of Independence Day at the end of the week.

Under the regular schedule, banking transactions will continue from 10am to 3:30pm, while administrative work will run until 5pm. Trading on the capital market is set to continue from 10am to 2:30pm.

On the first day back, bankers exchanged Eid greetings with colleagues, while customers also greeted bank employees as they completed their work.

A similar atmosphere was seen at Bangladesh Bank, where Governor Mostaqur Rahman arrived at the head office around 10am.

Attendance at the central bank was also comparatively low. Many of those present were seen wearing panjabis or new Eid outfits.

Many brought homemade sweets and other delicacies to share with colleagues.

Bankers said normal work momentum would return next week.

Shafiqul Rahman, manager of Sonali Bank’s Motijheel branch, told bdnews24.com: “Some officials are still on leave, but all the counters are open. There are no problems with transaction services.”

“Operations are being managed with backup staff. Pressure is usually a little lower on the first day anyway, as people generally do not come to cash cheques unless it is urgent.”

Stocks Slide

Meanwhile, trading on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, the country’s main bourse, began with a fall in the key index, DSEX, on the first day after Eid.

In the first hour, the index dropped by 55 points and shares worth Tk 1.48 billion changed hands. Share prices rose for 81 companies, fell for 253 and remained unchanged for 43.

In the final trading session before Eid, the index stood at 5,353 points.