G- Live Desk
Published: 29th July 2026, 10:50 PM
In a significant relief measure for distressed account holders, Bangladesh Bank has expanded the withdrawal threshold to a maximum of BDT 1.0 million (Tk 10 lakh) for customers of five merged Shariah-compliant lenders. Under the newly updated regulations, account holders can now access their funds not only for personal healthcare expenses but also to cover medical costs for immediate family members—including parents, children, siblings, and spouses—as well as other pressing family emergencies.
The decision was formalised during a meeting of the central bank’s board of directors, presided over by Governor Mostaqur Rahman. The regulatory adjustment modifies the previously established depositor reimbursement scheme, which had restricted priority withdrawals strictly to personal medical treatments. Central bank officials noted that many depositors faced severe financial strain due to unexpected domestic expenditures and healthcare crises involving dependents, prompting the board to broaden the framework’s scope.
The revised withdrawal facility applies across the five troubled financial institutions: First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. Last year, the interim administration amalgamated these five distressed Shariah-based lenders into a single state-backed entity named Sammilita Islami Bank. The restructured bank operates with an authorised paid-up capital of BDT 350 billion (Tk 35,000 crore), consisting of a BDT 200 billion government capital injection alongside BDT 150 billion converted into equity shares allocated to existing depositors.
| Financial & Operational Indicator | Reported Figure / Value |
| Newly Approved Maximum Emergency Withdrawal Limit | BDT 1.0 million (Tk 10 lakh) |
| Number of Merged Shariah-Based Lenders | 5 banks |
| Combined Entity Name | Sammilita Islami Bank |
| Total Authorized Paid-Up Capital | BDT 350 billion (Tk 35,000 crore) |
| Government Capital Contribution | BDT 200 billion (Tk 20,000 crore) |
| Depositor Share Equity Allocation | BDT 150 billion (Tk 15,000 crore) |
| Deposit Insurance Fund Allocation Target | BDT 120 billion (Tk 12,000 crore) |
| Initial Deposit Reimbursement Ceiling per Account | BDT 200,000 (Tk 2 lakh) |
| Cumulative Amount Reimbursed to Date | BDT 38.87 billion (Tk 3,887 crore) |
| Total Number of Reimbursed Depositors | 822,000 account holders |
| Reimbursed Customers (First Security Islami Bank) | 350,000 account holders |
| Reimbursed Sum (First Security Islami Bank) | BDT 16.0 billion (Tk 1,600 crore) |
| Total Combined Outstanding Loans (End of Dec) | BDT 1.95 trillion (Tk 195,000 crore) |
| Total Security Collateral Held | BDT 479 billion (Tk 47,900 crore) |
| Collateral Coverage Ratio | 24.56% of total loans |
| Total Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) | BDT 1.705 trillion (Tk 170,500 crore) |
| Non-Performing Loan Ratio | 87.43% of total loan book |
Alongside emergency withdrawal provisions, the central bank continues to execute a broader liquidity settlement scheme funded by BDT 120 billion allocated from the Deposit Insurance Fund, aimed at clearing individual account balances of up to BDT 200,000. Central bank figures confirm that BDT 38.87 billion has been disbursed to roughly 822,000 depositors thus far. First Security Islami Bank alone accounts for 350,000 of these beneficiaries, receiving BDT 16.0 billion in cumulative payouts.
The aggressive restructuring measures underscore the severe financial distress inherited by the unified institution. Official data from Bangladesh Bank reveals that total outstanding loans across the five banks stood at BDT 1.95 trillion at the end of December, backed by collateral valued at just BDT 479 billion—representing a modest 24.56 per cent collateral coverage. More strikingly, default loans have mounted to BDT 1.705 trillion, leaving default assets at a staggering 87.43 per cent of the total loan portfolio and highlighting the immense recovery challenge facing regulatory authorities.
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