Cash withdrawal pressure soared at bank branches across Dhaka on Wednesday, the last working day before the Eid-ul-Azha holiday, with transactions increasing by 25% compared to regular days, according to bank officials.
Despite access to digital banking and ATMs, long queues formed at branches in areas like Motijheel and Paltan, as many customers preferred withdrawing cash in person—particularly to buy sacrificial animals or collect new-design currency notes.
Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on June 7, with banks closed until June 14. However, select branches in industrial zones will remain open on June 5, 11, and 12 to support garment workers’ payments and trade activities.
Demand for new banknotes—especially Tk20, Tk50, and Tk1,000 bills—remains high, though supply is limited. Bangladesh Bank began releasing the redesigned notes on June 1, ahead of the festival season.
While officials confirmed no overall cash shortage in the banking sector, some banks are facing liquidity stress due to weaker financial health. The central bank has urged people to use digital transactions, particularly at cattle markets, to reduce the reliance on physical cash.
Bangladesh Bank also plans to release redesigned Tk5, Tk10, Tk100, Tk200, and Tk500 notes after Eid.
