Cenbank moves to scrap 'haircut' on deposits at five merged Islamic banks

Highlights:

• Merged Islamic bank depositors set for higher returns
• BB to restore original profit rates for 2024-25 deposits
• Central bank to phase out administrators at merged banks
• Exim Bank administrator likely to be withdrawn first
• Proposal awaits governor's approval

The Bangladesh Bank has decided in principle to scrap the controversial "haircut" on deposits held with the five merged Islamic banks, allowing individual depositors to receive profits at their original contractual rates for 2024 and 2025.

A senior Bangladesh Bank official confirmed the development to The Business Standard, saying the proposal is now awaiting approval from the governor.

According to the official, individual depositors will receive profits for 2024 and 2025 at the rates originally agreed when their deposits were made. From 2026 onwards, depositors will receive a maximum profit rate of 6.5%, in line with the ceiling announced by the central bank for the five merged banks.

The proposed reversal marks a significant departure from Bangladesh Bank's earlier directives. On 14 January 2025, the central bank instructed that no profit would be paid on any category of deposits between January 2024 and December 2025.

A subsequent circular issued on 21 January 2025 revised the policy, allowing only individual depositors to receive a 4% profit during the same period.

Following prolonged demands from depositors, the central bank has now moved to reverse that decision.

The latest move follows assurances made by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on 7 July 2026 that depositors of the merged Islamic banks would not face a "haircut".

Responding to a parliamentary notice on a matter of urgent public importance, the minister said depositors would recover their money along with profit, although they would need to remain patient.

He said financial irregularities, corruption, fund embezzlement and capital flight by former owners had left depositors unable to withdraw their savings from several banks, including Exim Bank, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, National Bank, and IFIC Bank.

Describing the situation as "heart-breaking", the minister said an elected government could not remain indifferent and noted that the government had established a structured and multi-dimensional bank resolution framework, supported by the Bank Resolution Act, to restore stability to the financial sector.

During the parliamentary discussion, it was stated that around 75 lakh depositors were awaiting justice and calls were made for those responsible for financial misconduct to be punished and their assets auctioned to compensate affected customers.

Administrators to be withdrawn in phases

Separately, the Bangladesh Bank has decided to withdraw administrators from the five merged Islamic banks in phases over the next one to two months.

The decision was made during a meeting on Monday between Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and the boards of the five merged Islamic banks.

A Bangladesh Bank official who attended the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a policy decision had been made to remove administrators gradually rather than simultaneously. The process is expected to be completed by August.

As part of the plan, the administrator appointed to Exim Bank is likely to be withdrawn first.