BB buys $1.53b in February so far; FY26 purchases reach $5.47b
The increased supply of dollars is mainly driven by a rise in remittance inflows through banking channels, prompting banks to sell dollars to the central bank.
Bangladesh Bank (BB) purchased $1.53 billion from commercial banks in February this year, BB spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan told journalists today (24 February).
He added that the central bank bought $87 million from eight banks today at a rate of Tk122.30 per dollar.
So far, Bangladesh Bank has purchased $5.47 billion in the current fiscal year 2025-26.
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The increased supply of dollars is mainly driven by a rise in remittance inflows through banking channels, prompting banks to sell dollars to the central bank.
A senior Bangladesh Bank official told The Business Standard that banks are willing to sell dollars, while the central bank is increasing reserves through these purchases.
Arief also confirmed today that Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $30.30 billion.
The reserve level is rising primarily through dollar purchases from commercial banks via auctions, supported by strong growth in remittance inflows through formal banking channels.
In January 2026, remittances reached $3.17 billion, the third highest on record, which is 45.41% higher than the same month in 2025. In January last year, remittance inflows were $2.18 billion.
Previously, the highest remittance inflow was recorded in March 2025 at $3.29 billion, followed by the second highest in December of the same year at $3.22 billion.
A senior Bangladesh Bank official told TBS that the central bank is buying dollars mainly to support exporters, sustain remittance flows, and prevent a decline in the dollar's exchange rate.
Bangladesh Bank began purchasing dollars through auctions in July of the current fiscal year.
