Remittance has long been one of the principal pillars of Bangladesh’s economy, providing a vital cushion against external shocks. In 2025, at a time when the country was grappling with dollar shortages, pressure on foreign exchange reserves and rising import costs, inflows from expatriate Bangladeshis delivered notable relief. According to Bangladesh Bank statistics, migrants sent home a total of US$32.82 billion during the year, marking one of the strongest performances in recent history and reaffirming the strategic importance of remittance to macroeconomic stability.
A striking feature of the 2025 remittance landscape was its high level of concentration. Nearly 37 per cent of total inflows were channelled through just three banks, underlining their dominant role in attracting overseas earnings. At the forefront was Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, which retained its top position for yet another year. The Shariah-based private bank has built a strong reputation among expatriates, supported by an extensive overseas correspondent network, digital remittance platforms and efficient settlement processes that have enhanced customer confidence.
Among state-owned lenders, the year witnessed a notable reshuffling. Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) emerged as the second-largest remittance recipient in 2025, a significant achievement for a specialised public sector bank traditionally focused on rural finance. Agrani Bank, long a heavyweight in remittance handling, slipped to third place but continued to play a major role in channeling migrant earnings.
Bangladesh Bank data show that Islami Bank alone accounted for US$6.204 billion in remittance during the year. Bangladesh Krishi Bank followed with US$3.127 billion, while Agrani Bank received US$2.782 billion. Combined, these three institutions handled 36.91 per cent of total remittance inflows, highlighting their outsized influence within the banking sector.
Top Banks by Remittance Inflows, 2025
| Bank Name | Remittance (US$ billion) |
|---|---|
| Islami Bank Bangladesh | 6.20 |
| Bangladesh Krishi Bank | 3.13 |
| Agrani Bank | 2.78 |
| Janata Bank | 2.26 |
| BRAC Bank | 2.17 |
| Trust Bank | 1.82 |
| Sonali Bank | 1.51 |
| Rupali Bank | 1.22 |
| City Bank | 0.95 |
| Bank Asia | 0.85 |
In preceding years, Bangladesh faced acute dollar shortages while opening letters of credit for fuel, fertiliser and essential consumer goods. Analysts argue that political and policy adjustments introduced after August 2024 injected fresh momentum into remittance flows. This momentum peaked in March 2025, when a record US$3.29 billion arrived in a single month—the highest ever recorded. The trend remained robust towards year-end, with December inflows exceeding US$3 billion.
Bankers attribute this resurgence to a combination of factors: tighter surveillance against hundi and illicit transfers, a relatively stable market-based exchange rate, the government’s 2.5 per cent cash incentive on remittance, and improved integration between banks and mobile financial services. Together, these measures encouraged expatriates to use formal channels, significantly aiding the rebuilding of foreign exchange reserves. By the end of the year, reserves had risen to around US$33 billion, widely viewed as a positive signal for Bangladesh’s overall economic resilience.