[🇧🇩] Banking System in Bangladesh

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Pvt sector credit growth hits record low of 4.72pc

Private sector credit growth in Bangladesh fell to a historic low of 4.72 per cent in March 2026, reflecting sluggish business activities, weak investment appetite and continued stress across the economy...

www.newagebd.net

Pvt sector credit growth hits record low of 4.72pc
Staff Correspondent 20 May, 2026, 23:28

A file photo shows a man counting taka notes in the capital. | New Age photo

Private sector credit growth in Bangladesh fell to a historic low of 4.72 per cent in March 2026, reflecting sluggish business activities, weak investment appetite and continued stress across the economy.

According to data from Bangladesh Bank, private sector credit growth declined sharply 6.03 per cent in both January and February and 6.1 per cent in December, extending the prolonged slowdown in bank lending to businesses.

The March figure marked the lowest level in Bangladesh Bank’s recorded history since it began compiling private sector credit growth data in 2003.

The trend represents a steep decline from 10.13 per cent in July 2024 before credit growth started falling steadily following the political transition in August that year.

Economists said that businesses postponed fresh investment decisions for months due to uncertainty over economic policies, a weak business environment, high inflation and continued global economic disruptions.

Although the February 12 national election delivered a decisive victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, business confidence has yet to recover significantly.

Experts also said stress in the banking sector, tight monetary policy and aggressive government borrowing from banks further weakened credit flow to private businesses.

In its monetary policy statement for January–June 2026, Bangladesh Bank attributed the slowdown to tight liquidity conditions, weak demand for loans and increased government borrowing to finance the budget deficit.Bangladeshi Culture Course

Government borrowing has emerged as a major factor behind the credit squeeze.

During July–December of FY26, net government borrowing from the banking system reached Tk 98,000 crore, accounting for 99 per cent of the revised annual target.

Economists said excessive government borrowing absorbs a large portion of banks’ available funds, leaving less liquidity for businesses, particularly when many banks are already facing cash shortages.

The banking sector’s deteriorating financial health has also severely constrained lending capacity.

Defaulted loans stood at Tk 5.57 lakh crore at the end of December 2025, accounting for nearly one-third of total outstanding loans.

High levels of bad loans force banks to maintain large provisions against potential losses, reducing both profitability and their ability to issue fresh loans.

At the same time, high borrowing costs have discouraged businesses from taking new loans.

Bangladesh Bank’s policy interest rate currently stands at 10 per cent, while commercial lending rates in many cases have climbed close to 15 per cent.Politics

Such elevated rates have made borrowing increasingly expensive, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that depend heavily on bank financing for operations and expansion.

The impact of weak credit growth is already visible across the broader economy.

Imports of capital machinery have declined, indicating slower industrial expansion, while many factories are reportedly operating below capacity because of weak demand and limited access to working capital.

Lower private investment has also reduced money circulation in the economy, slowing business activities and limiting employment growth.

Bangladesh Bank has set a private sector credit growth target of 8.5 per cent for the second half of FY26, but economists said the current trend suggests the target may be difficult to achieve.​

 

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Central bank tightens rules on bank dividends

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a tougher dividend policy for banks that allows only institutions with at least Tk 20 billion in paid-up capital to declare cash dividends from 2026 onward. The move signals the regulator's growing emphasis on building stronger capital buffers and improving the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Central bank tightens rules on bank dividends
Only banks with Tk 20b paid-up capital will qualify for cash dividends from 2026

FE REPORT

Published :
May 24, 2026 08:09
Updated :
May 24, 2026 08:09

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a tougher dividend policy for banks that allows only institutions with at least Tk 20 billion in paid-up capital to declare cash dividends from 2026 onward.

The move signals the regulator's growing emphasis on building stronger capital buffers and improving the banking sector's ability to withstand economic shocks.

The new directive, issued by Bangladesh Bank on Saturday, comes at a time when the banking industry continues to grapple with rising stress from weak asset quality, capital shortages and broader global economic uncertainty.

Industry insiders say the policy could accelerate consolidation and encourage the emergence of larger, financially stronger banks.

According to a circular issued by the central bank's Supervisory Policy and Coordination Department, the measure is intended to help the industry withstand potential risks arising from both domestic and global economic uncertainties while improving the overall capital base of commercial banks.

The new policy takes effect from the current calendar year and will apply to dividend declarations for 2026.

A desktop analysis based on data available on the Dhaka Stock Exchange website suggests that only one listed bank -- BRAC Bank -- currently meets the required paid-up capital threshold among the country's 36 listed banks. Another institution, Sommilito Islami Bank, formed through the merger of five Shariah-based banks, also appears to qualify under the new requirement.

However, the bank's managing director has yet to be appointed following the merger process.

People familiar with developments in the banking industry said increasing capital buffers has become essential for absorbing potential economic shocks and maintaining financial stability.

They also said the central bank's broader objective may be to encourage the emergence of larger and financially stronger institutions rather than maintaining a banking system dominated by relatively small banks with limited capital strength.

Shah Md Ahsan Habib, professor at the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM), told the FE that the move indicates a strategic shift by the regulator.

"This is most probably an indication that the central bank wants stronger and larger banks, as there is no alternative to adequate capital in absorbing financial shocks," he told the FE.Trade finance solutions

He added that many local banks still operate with significantly lower capital bases compared with their counterparts in peer economies, making capital strengthening increasingly important amid economic uncertainty at home and abroad.​