Banking hours have been adjusted as part of an energy-saving initiative

Bangladesh Bank has announced new office and transaction hours for all scheduled banks, effective Sunday, as part of a nationwide push to conserve fuel and electricity.

According to a circular issued on Saturday, bank offices will operate from 10:00am to 5:00pm, while customer transactions will take place between 10:00am and 3:00pm, Sunday through Thursday, until further notice.

However, branches, sub-branches, and booths located in seaport, land port, and airport areas—including port and customs zones—will continue round-the-clock operations, seven days a week, in accordance with existing directives.

The central bank said the revised schedule aligns with the government’s recent austerity measures aimed at reducing energy consumption amid growing strain on the energy sector. On 2 April, the government introduced a set of steps, including shorter office hours and earlier closure of shopping malls and markets, following disruptions in global energy supply linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The directive has been issued under Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991 and will remain in force until further notice.