Digital banking services across Bangladesh have returned to full operational capacity following the withdrawal of special regulatory restrictions imposed during the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election. The four-day controls, introduced as a precautionary measure, formally ended at midnight on Thursday, allowing customers to resume unrestricted mobile and online transactions from Friday morning.
The restrictions had been implemented by Bangladesh Bank between 9 February (00:00 hrs) and 12 February (23:59 hrs), covering a total of 96 hours. The central bank stated that the measures were designed to mitigate the risk of misuse of digital financial channels during a politically sensitive period. Particular concerns included the potential for illicit fund transfers, voter inducement, and unregulated cash flows via peer-to-peer platforms.
Under the temporary framework, person-to-person (P2P) transfers were capped at BDT 1,000 per transaction, with a daily transaction limit of ten transfers per account. Internet banking P2P services were, in most instances, suspended entirely.
Following the lifting of the restrictions, leading mobile financial service (MFS) providers—including bKash, Nagad, and Dutch-Bangla Bank Rocket—reinstated their standard transaction ceilings. Commercial banks likewise restored full functionality to their online banking platforms.
Summary of Temporary Measures
| Category | Restriction Imposed | Effective Period |
|---|---|---|
| P2P transfer (per transaction) | Maximum BDT 1,000 | 9–12 February |
| Daily number of P2P transactions | Maximum 10 | 9–12 February |
| Internet banking P2P transfers | Largely suspended | 9–12 February |
| Normal transaction limits | Fully reinstated | From 13 February |
Importantly, essential financial activities remained operational throughout the restriction period. Salary disbursements, utility bill payments, merchant settlements, and inward foreign remittances continued under a controlled structure, ensuring that broader economic activity was not materially disrupted.
Industry analysts observe that Bangladesh’s digital financial ecosystem has expanded rapidly in recent years. Millions of transactions are processed daily through mobile wallets and internet banking platforms, reinforcing financial inclusion and reducing reliance on cash-based systems. However, this rapid digitisation also necessitates heightened supervisory vigilance during periods of political transition.
Although standard limits have now been restored, financial institutions have been instructed to maintain enhanced monitoring protocols. They are required to report immediately any unusual transaction patterns, including sudden clustering of high-value micro-transfers or suspicious fund movements.
Economic observers interpret the swift reversion to normal transaction ceilings as a signal of regulatory confidence. It demonstrates both the resilience of Bangladesh’s digital financial infrastructure and the authorities’ capacity to impose and withdraw short-term macroprudential controls efficiently when warranted.
For consumers and businesses alike, the resumption of unrestricted services marks a return to routine digital commerce—further underscoring the centrality of mobile and online banking within the country’s evolving financial ecosystem.