Md Mehedi Hasan

Commercial banks have asked the Bangladesh Bank to exempt small and medium enterprise (SME) loans from its new 4 percent cap on interest rate spreads, arguing that these loans cost more to manage than other types of lending.

Commercial banks have proposed introducing extra and some new charges for 14 services, including fees on frequent cash withdrawals, reactivating dormant accounts and higher account maintenance charges.

Customers question higher withdrawal charges as businesses fear rising costs

As local borrowing costs hover high, some of the country’s largest conglomerates are turning to foreign lenders for financing, and Bangladesh Bank (BB) is moving on multiple fronts to make that path easier.

Banks are now trading the US dollar between Tk 122.70 and Tk 123.75

The US dollar has climbed to Tk 123 in the inter-bank market as stronger demand for foreign currency coincides with slower inflows of remittances and export earnings

Mobile financial services changed how Bangladesh sends money and makes payments, but market competition has failed to keep pace

Bangladesh Bank has granted President Mohammed Shahabuddin a special exemption from withdrawal restrictions imposed on depositors of five troubled banks, approving a request to withdraw Tk 20 lakh from his account at Global Islami Bank.