The Bangladesh Bank has extended banking hours to 2:30pm from 1pm with effect from May 10 during Ramadan.
On Tuesday, the central bank issued a circular in this regard.
During general holidays to curb transmission of coronavirus, the transaction hours were rescheduled. The banks will remain open from 10am to 1pm from May 10.
Transaction activities will run in branches till 3:30pm until the central bank's further notice, the circular said.
However, there will be a break for 15 minutes for Zuhr prayers from 1:15pm to 1:30pm.
The decision was taken to facilitate the continued necessary banking services for country’s trade and business during the Ramadan and ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr during this crisis, it added.
Banks can keep their headquarters and concerned offices open until 3:30pm during the period for their own activities, it mentioned.
The Bangladesh Bank also ordered banks having online facilities to keep at least one branch open at each upazila considering their distance to facilitate the transactions of their clients.
The central bank has also directed the banks to maintain the safety and hygiene guidelines of the World Health Organisation while operating the banks.
The banks have been providing services from March 29 on a limited scale during the countrywide general holidays announced by the government to curb coronavirus pandemic.
