BB to halt five public services from Nov 30

Bangladesh Bank (BB) will discontinue five major public services, including the sale of savings certificates (Sanchayapatra) and prize bonds, from November 30 as part of a broader effort to modernise its operations and strengthen security across its offices.

Sources at the central bank said the move follows a significant fraud incident at the Motijheel office last month, in which Tk 2.5 million was embezzled through the manipulation of savings certificates.

Officials stressed that the discontinuation is part of a long-planned overhaul aimed at tightening internal controls.

BB spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan confirmed the development, noting that five public services will be withdrawn from the central bank's headquarters and regional offices.

He added that the Ministry of Finance has been notified and a formal public announcement will be issued soon.

Bangladesh Bank currently offers 10 types of government services to the public through 28 counters.

The five that will be discontinued are: handling and selling savings certificates, selling prize bonds, exchanging defective notes, processing payment against documents (PAD), and providing change against challans.

Twelve counters dedicated to these services will be closed.

However, while the sale of new savings certificates will cease, services related to certificates already issued will continue until maturity. After maturity, holders will no longer be able to reinvest these instruments through the BB.

Sixteen counters will remain operational for essential services, including exchanging metallic coins, selling commemorative coins, resolving disputes over non-standard currency notes, and facilitating bank-to-bank transactions.

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