Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has expressed optimism regarding the country’s newly formed Combined Islamic Bank PLC (Sammilito Islami Bank), noting that customer pressure remained minimal during its first two days of operations.
In a press conference held at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters on Monday, January 5, 2026, the Governor revealed that despite the transition, the bank saw a net positive trend in depositor confidence. While customers withdrew Tk 107.77 crore, the bank successfully attracted Tk 44 crore in fresh deposits during this period.
Transaction Highlights (January 1 & 4)
The Governor provided a breakdown of the transaction volume during the initial days of the bank’s operation:
| Category | Data |
| Total Withdrawal Transactions | 13,314 |
| Total Amount Withdrawn | Tk 107.77 Crore |
| Highest Withdrawal (Exim Bank Branch) | Tk 66 Crore (6,265 customers) |
| New Deposits Collected | Tk 44 Crore |
Rapid Formation Under New Ordinance
Governor Mansur highlighted the unprecedented speed of the bank’s establishment. Under the newly enacted Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025, the entire process—from the Letter of Intent (LOI) and capitalization to the physical branding and commencement of transactions—was completed in just two months.
“Typically, establishing a new bank takes a significant amount of time,” the Governor remarked. “However, we implemented this step-by-step under the resolution scheme to ensure a swift transition for the five merged entities.”
Governance and Forensics
The bank is currently managed by a board primarily composed of government representatives. A full board—including a chartered accountant, a veteran banker, and a legal expert—is expected to be formed shortly.
The Governor also addressed the “major challenges” ahead:
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IT Integration: A specialized central bank team is working to merge the IT systems of the five previous banks into one unified platform.
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Forensic Audits: Comprehensive audits will be conducted to investigate past irregularities within the five merged banks.
“We do not want to terminate anyone,” Governor Mansur clarified regarding staff. “However, those found involved in irregularities will face strict legal action. If officials from other agencies are involved, their cases will be handed over to the relevant law enforcement.”
Future Outlook
The bank’s Shariah-based profit rates have been aligned with current market standards to remain competitive. New Shariah-compliant products are also in the pipeline to attract further investment.
The formal inauguration ceremony for Combined Islamic Bank PLC is scheduled for January 19, 2026.
