BB directs to lift cash withdrawal caps for depositors

Bangladesh Bank has instructed the newly launched state-owned Sammilito Islami Bank PLC to clearly inform depositors that there will be no haircut on their profit.

At the same time, the central bank directed it to ensure that individual depositors can withdraw funds from various accounts according to their needs starting September 1, and to take immediate steps to resume normal banking operations.

These directives were issued on Tuesday during a meeting between Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman, chairman of Sammilito Islami Bank PLC Kazi Shairul Hasan, and managing director Abedur Rahman Sikder.

Bangladesh Bank deputy governors Md Habibur Rahman, Md Kabir Ahammad, Md Saroar Hossain, and Md Anisur Rahman were present during the meeting.

Bangladesh Bank stated that although the finance minister announced in the National Parliament that there would be no haircut on depositors’ profit, some ambiguity still remains among depositors regarding this issue.

For this reason, all depositors of Sammilito Islami Bank must be clearly informed that no haircut will be applied to their profit.

Additionally, under the scheme declared on December 29, 2025, depositors’ funds are already being returned.

Beyond this, starting next Tuesday (September 1), individual depositors will be able to withdraw principal funds from their Al-Wadeeah current accounts, Mudaraba savings accounts, and Mudaraba fixed deposits based on their needs.

The central bank instructed the bank management to take the necessary measures for this transition.
Resumption of Normal Operations: As the country’s largest and only state-owned Islamic bank-launched with a capital of Tk 35,000 crore-Sammilito Islami Bank PLC must take immediate steps to resume full normal banking operations at the earliest possible time.

Stakeholders believe that these three directives from Bangladesh Bank will resolve the existing uncertainty among Sammilito Islami Bank depositors and pave the way for the quick resumption of regular banking operations.