Following the government’s mandate to tackle the ongoing energy and power crisis, Bangladesh Bank has announced new, shortened operating hours for all scheduled banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs). The new schedule will go into effect tomorrow, Sunday, April 5, 2026.
The central bank issued the directives on Saturday in alignment with the Cabinet’s recent decision to reduce office hours nationwide to conserve fuel and electricity.
New Banking Hours
According to the notification, the window for public transactions has been reduced by one hour.
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Transaction Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Previously until 4:00 PM)
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Office Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Previously until 6:00 PM)
However, the central bank clarified that bank branches, sub-branches, and booths located in port areas (sea, land, and airports) will continue to operate 24/7 to facilitate trade and essential services, as per previous instructions.
New Hours for Financial Institutions (NBFIs)
In a separate notice, the Financial Institutions and Markets Department of Bangladesh Bank announced revised timings for NBFIs:
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Office Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Previously until 6:00 PM)
Context of the Energy Crisis
These changes follow a high-level Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, April 2, where the government decided to cap the workday for most public and private offices at seven hours (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
To further mitigate the power shortage, the government has also implemented the following measures starting April 5:
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Shopping Malls & Retail Stores: Must close by 6:00 PM.
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Social Events: Decorative lighting is strictly prohibited at wedding venues and other social gatherings.
The central bank stated that these austerity measures will remain in place until further notice. Financial sector experts suggest that while the reduction in hours may slightly affect customer convenience, the move is a necessary step to stabilize the national grid and manage the country’s dwindling fuel reserves.
