On Saturday, 14 February 2026, several bank branches in Bangladesh were kept open on a limited basis to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply across the country. The move, announced by Bangladesh Bank, was intended to facilitate dealers and petrol pump operators in procuring fuel without delays.
The decision followed a request from Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, convener of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association. Upon receiving the appeal, the Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department (SDMAD) of Bangladesh Bank granted special permission for certain branches to operate on the holiday.
This exceptional arrangement came in the wake of consecutive banking closures. All scheduled banks were shut on 11 and 12 February due to the Thirteenth National Parliament elections and referendum. The weekly holiday fell on 13 and 14 February, effectively halting banking operations for four consecutive days. The special opening enabled dealers to maintain normal fuel procurement processes, ensuring continuity in the nation’s energy supply chain.
The following table lists the branches that were operational:
| Bank Name | Branch Locations |
|---|---|
| Pubali Bank PLC | Khulna Khalishpur, Narayanganj Fatulla, Dinajpur Parbatipur, Rangpur Shapla Chattar, Chattogram Agrabad, Chandpur Main Branch, Jhalokathi Jhalokathi, Barishal Barishal, Kishoreganj Bhairab Bazar, Sylhet Boroi Kandi |
| Uttara Bank PLC | Khulna Khalishpur |
| Janata Bank PLC | Sirajganj Baghbari Ghat |
| Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC | Sirajganj Baghbari Ghat |
| One Bank PLC | Dinajpur Parbatipur Sub-Branch |
A Bangladesh Bank official clarified that the special opening was exclusively for facilitating fuel purchases and was not intended for general customer banking. This measure allows dealers and pump owners to complete transactions within the permitted timeframe, avoiding any disruption in fuel supply.
Authorities emphasised that, moving forward, banks may remain open on selected holidays under exceptional circumstances to support critical supply chains and financial operations. This initiative is seen as a proactive step to maintain an efficient and reliable fuel distribution system, reinforcing the country’s energy security even during extended bank closures.