Bangladesh Bank (BB) today issued a comprehensive set of instructions for scheduled banks regarding operational hours and holiday schedules for the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, aiming to ensure uninterrupted financial services, trade activities, and wage payments in the garment sector during the extended holiday period.

The directive was issued following a notification from the Ministry of Public Administration regarding official Eid holidays, said a BB circular issued today.

Under the instructions, all scheduled bank branches, sub-branches and booths across the country will remain open on May 23 (Saturday) and May 24 (Sunday), 2026, following regular banking schedules.

The banking sector’s official holiday period will begin on May 25 (Monday) and continue until May 31 (Sunday), 2026. 

However, the central bank introduced special arrangements for industrial and trade-related areas to maintain economic activities.

To facilitate the payment of wages, festival bonuses and other allowances for workers in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, along with export-import transactions, Bangladesh Bank directed selected branches in key industrial zones to remain operational on May 25 and May 26.

The instruction applies to banking offices located in Dhaka Metropolitan, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj and Chattogram.

These branches will operate with limited manpower while ensuring adequate security measures.

For banks operating in industrial hubs, office hours will be from 10am to 3pm, while transaction hours will remain from 10am to 1pm.

To support uninterrupted export-import activities during the holiday period, the central bank also instructed all bank branches, sub-branches and booths located in sea ports, land ports and airport customs areas to remain operational round-the-clock from May 25 to May 31, except on the day of Eid-ul-Azha.

Banks have also been asked to coordinate closely with local administrations as well as port and customs authorities to ensure smooth operations during the holidays.

Bangladesh Bank further stated that officials and employees assigned duties during the holiday period will be entitled to allowances as per existing rules and regulations.