In December, Bangladesh received a total of USD 322.69 million in remittances from overseas workers. However, during the same period, seven banks did not receive any remittance inflows, according to the latest report published by Bangladesh Bank on Thursday, 1 January.
The list of banks with zero remittance in December includes one specialised, two private, and four foreign banks. Specifically, the Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB), a specialised bank, received no remittance. The private banks Padma Bank PLC and ICB Islamic Bank also recorded zero inflows. Among foreign banks, Al-Falah Bank, Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, and State Bank of India did not receive any remittance during the month.
Bangladesh Bank’s data reveals that in December, state-owned banks received USD 57.24 million, specialised banks USD 35.35 million, private banks USD 229.39 million, and foreign banks only USD 0.69 million. The distribution highlights that private banks continue to dominate remittance inflows, while certain specialised and foreign banks struggle to attract overseas funds.
| Bank Category | Remittance Received (USD) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| State-owned Banks | 57,236,000 | Moderate inflow |
| Specialised Banks | 35,352,000 | One bank received none |
| Private Banks | 229,394,000 | Two banks received none |
| Foreign Banks | 687,000 | Four banks received none |
| Total | 322,669,000 |
The report also highlights that the 2024–25 fiscal year witnessed an unprecedented surge in remittances, with overseas Bangladeshis sending a record USD 30.32 billion (3,032.8 crore USD). This marks the highest remittance inflow in the country’s history for a single fiscal year, underlining the critical role of expatriate workers in supporting Bangladesh’s economy.
Economists note that while the overall inflow remains strong, the absence of remittance in certain banks may reflect a combination of customer preferences, banking infrastructure, and correspondent banking arrangements. Analysts suggest that improving accessibility and service quality could help these banks attract a larger share of expatriate funds in the coming months.