Designated banks to remain open Saturday to ease Hajj registration payments
Banks have also been instructed to continue accepting deposits beyond normal transaction hours on Sunday (12 October) if Hajj depositors are still present
The Bangladesh Bank has directed all banks handling Hajj registration money to keep their branches open on Saturday (11 October) to facilitate deposits for Hajj 2026.
In a circular issued today (6 October), the central bank's Department of Off-Site Supervision said the decision was made following a memorandum from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
It said branches must remain open as per their regular schedule, with adequate security measures in place, to ensure smooth collection of Hajj registration fees.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The Bangladesh Bank also instructed that branches continue accepting deposits beyond normal transaction hours on Sunday (12 October) if Hajj depositors are still present.
According to the circular, the directive was issued in the public interest under Section 45 of the Bank Companies Act, 1991.
Earlier on 13 August, Bangladesh Bank permitted 33 commercial banks to participate in Hajj activities, including pre-registration and collection of registration fees for pilgrims under both government and private arrangements.
The participating banks include Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, Rupali Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh, ICB Islamic Bank, Pubali Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, United Commercial Bank, Union Bank, EXIM Bank, NCC Bank, NRB Bank, One Bank, Trust Bank, The City Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, National Bank, Prime Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Bank Asia, Mercantile Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Jamuna Bank, South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank, Southeast Bank, Social Islami Bank, Standard Bank, Premier Bank, and Shahjalal Islami Bank.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has instructed that pre-registration funds be transferred to the designated Sonali Bank account every 30 days. No loans can be provided to any Hajj agency against pilgrims' deposits.
It also said that all pilgrim registration fees must be kept in designated agency accounts and cannot be used or transferred elsewhere.
The ministry further stressed that the Hajj and Umrah Management Rules, 2022 (Amended) must be strictly followed.
