Bangladesh Launches Monthly Profit Withdrawal for Bank Depositors
Depositors of the newly formed Combined Islami Bank will now be able to withdraw profits from their savings, current, and fixed deposit accounts on a monthly basis, up to a ceiling of Tk 200,000 per depositor. The move, announced by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur on Thursday, is set to take effect from February 2026.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Mansur also confirmed that profit withdrawals from remittances and savings certificates will be made available immediately, providing depositors with increased liquidity and flexibility.
Addressing rumours and misinformation surrounding the bank, the governor emphasised, “Certain unscrupulous elements are attempting to disrupt the operations of the Combined Islami Bank. However, customers’ principal deposits remain completely secure and will be returned in a phased manner.”
Regarding profit rates, Dr Mansur outlined the updated structure effective 1 January 2026: deposits with a tenure of over one year will earn 9.5% profit, while deposits under one year will attract 9%.
He added, “We are prioritising the interests of depositors. The government is providing a 4% support for two years, which represents an additional expenditure of approximately Tk 4,500 crore. Deposit holders should not be swayed by baseless rumours.”
The Combined Islami Bank was created through a government initiative that merged several financially weakened institutions, including Exim, Social Islami, First Security Islami, Global Islami, and Union Bank. Key financial data of the merged bank is summarised below:
| Bank/Branch | Number of Depositors | Total Deposits (Tk crore) | Loans Issued (Tk crore) | Non-Performing Loan Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Islami Bank | 7.6 million | 142,000 | 192,000 | 77 |
Dr Mansur highlighted that the bank currently serves nearly 7.6 million depositors with Tk 142,000 crore in deposits, while 77% of the loans issued are non-performing. He assured depositors that under the new scheme, they would be able to withdraw profits up to Tk 200,000 monthly.
The governor further explained, “We are systematically identifying and resolving issues. No single plan can achieve complete success, so patience is essential while tackling these challenges.”
Through this initiative, both the government and Bangladesh Bank aim to ensure that depositors of the Combined Islami Bank can enjoy secure, transparent, and convenient banking services, with guaranteed access to both their principal deposits and accrued profits.