Banks asked to suspend evening activities

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked all the banks to suspend evening activities in an effort to save electricity amid the ongoing energy crisis.

The Banking Regulation and Policy Department of the central bank sent letter to the banks' chief executives giving the instruction on Tuesday.

According to the instruction, the suspension will remain in force until further notice, and the decision was taken in line with the changes brought by the government to office hours.

Earlier, some banks subject to special permission of BB have been operating activities even after the scheduled time but as per the new decision, all the banks will have to complete the transaction by 3 pm and all ancillary work by 5 pm.

On August 22, the Bangladesh Bank directed all the banks to provide customer services from 9 am to 3 pm in line with the fresh office timing.

EAR/SU