Although the process of allowing depositors of the five banks covered by the merger to withdraw up to Tk2 lakh is expected to start soon, this facility is not being implemented this year.

No specific date or time has been finalized in this regard yet, said Bangladesh Bank.

Recently, news was published on social media and some media outlets that depositors of a bank covered by the merger will be able to withdraw money from December 29, 2025 (Monday).

However, Bangladesh Bank has clearly stated that this information is baseless and untrue.

Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson and Executive Director Arif Hossain Khan told Dhaka Tribune: “In view of the demand of depositors of the five banks covered by the merger, the issue of allowing withdrawals of up to Tk2 lakh is being considered in principle and will start soon. However, no specific date or time has been finalized in this regard yet.”

"The news that circulated on social media and some media outlets about withdrawing money on December 29 is not correct. I request all not to be confused by this false information."

Central bank sources say that depositors of the five Islamic banks that are in the process of merging will be able to withdraw money in stages at the beginning of the new year.

Customers whose accounts have deposits of more than Tk2 lakh will be able to withdraw a maximum of Tk2 lakh according to the announced scheme.

After that, they will have the opportunity to withdraw money every three months for a maximum of two years.

However, this provision is being relaxed for depositors over 60 years of age and customers suffering from cancer. They will be able to withdraw any amount of money at any time as per their needs.

Initially, depositors will be able to withdraw up to Tk2 lakh from the branches of the merged banks. This amount will be provided from the Deposit Insurance Fund.

However, if a customer has more than one account in a bank, he will be able to withdraw money from only one account.

If someone has an account in five banks, then he will get the opportunity to withdraw a specified amount of money from each bank.

Bangladesh Bank has already given final approval to the new bank—Sammilito Islami Bank PLC—to acquire First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Exim Bank, and Union Bank, which are in the process of being merged.

The head office of the new bank has been set up in the capital's Sena Kalyan Bhaban. The paid-up capital of the bank has been set at Tk35,000 crore.

Of this, the government is providing Tk20,000 crore, and Tk15,000 crore will be provided from the Deposit Insurance Fund. The authorized capital has been set at Tk40,000 crore.

Shares of five banks zero, assets negative

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank has ordered the shares of five Islamic banks that are in the process of merging to be zero.

Sources said that this decision has been taken under the Bank Resolution Ordinance, as the actual value of the banks is negative.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, these five banks currently have deposits of Tk142,000 crore from about 7.5 million depositors.

On the other hand, the amount of loans stands at Tk193,000 crore, a large part of which has become defaulted.

The number of depositors with up to Tk1 lakh in First Security Islami Bank is 2,202,190. The total deposit in these accounts is Tk2,502 crore. The number of depositors from Tk1 lakh to Tk2 lakh is 149,456, with Tk2,010 crore in this account.

The number of depositors with up to Tk1 lakh in Exim Bank is 1,281,858, and the deposit is Tk1,202 crore. The number of depositors with deposits of Tk1 lakh–Tk2 lakh is 86,158, with a deposit of Tk1,253 crore in their accounts.

The number of depositors with deposits of up to Tk1 lakh in Social Islami Bank is 2,432,408, with a deposit of Tk1,511 crore in these accounts. The number of depositors with deposits of Tk1 lakh–Tk2 lakh is 86,406, with a deposit of Tk2,255 crore.

The number of depositors with deposits of up to Tk1 lakh in Union Bank is 451,460, with a deposit of Tk707 crore. The number of depositors with deposits of Tk1 lakh–Tk2 lakh is 36,912, with a deposit of Tk557 crore.

The number of depositors with deposits of up to Tk1 lakh in Global Islamic Bank is 455,421, with a deposit of Tk631 crore in these accounts. The number of depositors with deposits of Tk1 lakh–Tk2 lakh is 28,644, with a deposit of Tk428 crore.