19 banks halt card, ATM, digital services for system upgrades, migration
While service outages vary by institution, ranging from a few hours to several days, the simultaneous timing of maintenance across 19 banks has raised widespread consumer concerns.
Digital banking services, including card transactions, ATM withdrawals, POS payments, e-commerce, QR code payments and National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) transfers, across 19 banks are facing temporary disruptions due to scheduled system upgrades and maintenance.
According to notices issued by the banks, the disruptions stem from system migration under the Q-Cash network, which is scheduled to run from 9:00pm on 4 October until 12:00pm on 10 October.
The affected financial institutions are Bank Asia, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Janata Bank, Bengal Commercial Bank, Community Bank, Jamuna Bank, Midland Bank, Meghna Bank, Mercantile Bank, Modhumoti Bank, National Bank, NRBC Bank, NCC Bank, Rupali Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Shimanto Bank, Social Islami Bank, Trust Bank and Uttara Bank.
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While the service outages vary by institution - ranging from a few hours to several days - the simultaneous timing of maintenance across 19 banks has drawn widespread consumer concern, particularly over potential difficulties in obtaining cash during emergencies or completing online and card transactions.
Addressing customer concerns, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said banks routinely conduct technical maintenance and system upgrades after notifying the central bank.
"Each bank made its decision independently, but coincidentally, 19 banks fell into the same timeline for system upgrades," Khan said, adding that central bank officials discussed the matter with the institutions to ensure that advance notices and SMS alerts were issued to customers.
The banks assured customers that all affected services would be restored gradually upon completion of the system migration and maintenance work, while expressing regret for the temporary inconvenience. Branch-based counter services will remain subject to individual banks' guidelines.
