Bank deposits grow 10.45% in January

Bank deposits grew by 10.45% in January this year compared with the same month a year earlier, according to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank recently.

Infograph: TBS

The central bank's data show that total deposits in the banking sector stood at more than Tk19.67 lakh crore at the end of January 2026, up from over Tk17.81 lakh crore in January 2025.

However, deposit growth was slightly higher in the previous month. At the end of December 2025, deposit growth in the banking sector stood at 11.10%.

Managing directors of private banks said that although deposit growth declined slightly in January compared with December, it remained in double digits, which they view as a positive sign.

They noted that deposit growth had remained in single digits for a long period last year. From that perspective, January's growth – even though lower than the previous month – indicates an improvement in deposit inflows.

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and chief executive officer of Mutual Trust Bank, told TBS that the growth was largely driven by rising remittance inflows.

"Despite the increase in unemployment, the current growth in deposits is mainly due to the rise in remittance inflows," he said.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $3.17 billion in remittances in January. Remittance inflows have been rising since the change of power on 5 August 2024.

A senior official of the central bank said the increase in remittances has helped boost deposit inflows in banks. Although the growth rate in January was lower than in December, it still reflects positive momentum in deposit growth, he added.

Central bank data also show that currency outside banks increased over the past year.

The amount stood at Tk2,82,626 crore in January 2026, up from Tk2,74,230 crore in January 2025, meaning Tk8,396 crore more cash remained outside the banking system over the year.