National Bank to start disbursing deposits from 15 Oct

National Bank will start accepting applications from high-value depositors from 11 October and resume full-fledged banking services from 15 October, including allowing customers to withdraw money according to their needs.

National Bank Chairman Melita Mehjabeen and acting managing Director Zahidul Haque met Governor Mostaqur Rahman yesterday (8 October).Deputy Governors Md Habibur Rahman, Md Kabir Ahmed, Md Sarwar Hossain, and Md Anisur Rahman were also present.

At the meeting, the governor reviewed National Bank's liquidity position and the issue of allowing depositors to withdraw money according to their needs.

He instructed the bank to take necessary measures to protect depositors' interests, maintain confidence in the banking system and ensure orderly operations.

A senior Bangladesh Bank official said the central bank would initially be prepared to provide around Tk3,000 crore in liquidity support to help National Bank resume all banking services.

It is also targeting support of up to Tk10,000 crore, the official said. The support will be channelled through banks, while the central bank will act as guarantor.

Customers still have confidence: Chairman 

Chairman Melita Mehjabeen told TBS that they will resume all banking services from 15 October onwards and ensure sufficient liquidity at all branches and ATM booths. "We will start accepting applications from high-value depositors from 11 October," she said. 

National Bank has been unable to conduct banking services in full swing for a long time due to irregularities and poor governance at the bank, she said. 

"Now, the central bank has instructed the bank to resume full-fledged business operations. Customers will be able to open all types of letters of credit and withdraw their money through cheques, RTGS, NPSB and other available services," Mehjabeen added.

The chairman noted that National Bank is the country's first private commercial bank with a lot of legacies. At one point, the bank had deposits of more than Tk40,000 crore. 

"Customers still have confidence in the bank. We expect them to start depositing money with us again when they see that all services are available from October 15," she said.

"Our 221 branches, 65 sub branches and 53 ATM booths will be fully prepared. They will be able to receive all types of services from our branches as before," she added.

Acting managing director Zahidul Haque said that necessary preparations are being made at all branches and ATM booths to keep services uninterrupted from 15 October.

'BB to provide support if required'

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said the central bank's governor had summoned National Bank's managing director and chairman and instructed them to take measures to ensure customers could withdraw their money according to their needs.

He said Bangladesh Bank would provide full support if National Bank requires assistance in returning customers' deposits. The decision comes after four depositors of the bank approached the High Court last month seeking access to their savings.

National Bank, one of Bangladesh's oldest private banks, has received uncollateralised liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank in recent years as it grapples with liquidity shortages and high non-performing loans.

As of early September 2026, Bangladesh Bank had provided Tk84,945 crore in liquidity support to weak banks, including Tk10,568 crore to National Bank.

How National Bank fell into crisis

During the Awami League government, National Bank's board remained under the control of Sikder Group for years. The group lost control after Bangladesh Bank intervened in 2024. Members of the Multimode, Hosaf, and Armana Group families now run the bank.

However, the bank continues to struggle with the fallout from past irregularities and alleged embezzlement, including high non-performing loans, persistent losses and difficulties for customers seeking to withdraw their money. Despite repeated liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank, the bank has yet to fully restore normal operations.

National Bank has incurred losses every year since 2022. According to Bangladesh Bank data, 56.44% of its outstanding loans, around Tk24,000 crore, are non-performing. The bank also faces a provision shortfall of around Tk20,000 crore and incurred Tk1,706 crore loss in 2024.

The bank incurred nearly Tk9,000 crore in losses between 2022 and 2025. According to its latest unaudited financial statements, National Bank incurred a loss of Tk2,286 crore in the first six months of 2026, translating into a loss of Tk7.10 per share. In the same period of 2025, it reported a loss of Tk985 crore, or Tk3.06 per share.