Bank Holiday 2025 Declared by Bangladesh Bank (BB)

Bangladesh Bank Holiday

Bangladesh, a vibrant and dynamic country located in South Asia, has a diverse cultural and religious heritage, reflected in its calendar of holidays. Among the various holidays celebrated, the Bangladesh Bank holiday holds particular significance, as it impacts both the financial sector and the daily operations of the economy. Understanding the rationale behind these holidays and their implications on the nation’s banking and financial activities provides valuable insight into the country's overall functioning.

What Is a Bangladesh Bank Holiday?

A Bangladesh Bank holiday refers to the days when Bangladesh’s central bank, the Bangladesh Bank (BB), and other financial institutions are closed for operations. These holidays are generally set by the government of Bangladesh or the Bangladesh Bank and are observed nationwide, affecting the functioning of commercial banks, financial institutions, and, in some cases, the stock market. A variety of holidays are considered, ranging from public holidays to special days observed by the central bank due to specific reasons, such as national events, religious observances, or seasonal activities.

Bangladesh Bank has released the list of new holidays for This Year. Employees of banks and financial institutions will enjoy a total of 27 holidays in 2025. Banks will be closed for 27 days in 2025 on the occasion of different public holidays. But out of these 27 days, eight days are Friday and Saturday. Bangladesh Bank (BB) has finalized this list of the next year's holidays for banks in conjunction with government holidays. This year there was a total of 24 days of bank holidays.

Categories of Bank Holidays in Bangladesh

Public Holidays: These holidays are mandated by the government to commemorate national events, historical milestones, and celebrations. Important public holidays that often coincide with bank holidays include:

• Eid ul-Fitr: A major Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated by Muslims throughout Bangladesh.
• Eid ul-Adha: Another significant Islamic festival, also called the Festival of Sacrifice, observed by the Muslim population.
• Pohela Boishakh: The Bengali New Year, a celebration of the first day of the Bengali calendar.
• Independence Day: March 26, which marks Bangladesh's declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971.
• Victory Day: December 16, commemorating Bangladesh's victory in the Liberation War of 1971.

Religious Holidays: Many of Bangladesh's holidays are determined by the religious calendar, especially for the Muslim community. For example, Eid holidays (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha) see widespread closures in the banking sector, as businesses and individuals participate in religious and family gatherings. The Durga Puja, a major Hindu festival, is another religious holiday that leads to bank closures in areas with large Hindu populations.

National and Governmental Observances: In addition to religious observances, national events such as Language Martyrs’ Day (February 21), marking the day when Bengali-speaking people protested against the imposition of Urdu in the 1950s, can also result in the closure of Bangladesh Bank and related institutions.

Special Events and Urgent Decrees: On rare occasions, bank holidays are declared in response to extraordinary circumstances, such as national emergencies, political decisions, or situations requiring mass gatherings. For example, in the aftermath of disasters like cyclones or floods, the government may declare a bank holiday for safety reasons.

Holiday - Feb 15- 2025 - Saturday

Shab e-Barat (Night of Records)

banks government

Holiday - Feb 21- 2025 - Friday

Shahid Dibosh (International Mother Language Day)

Holiday - Mar 26- 2025- Wednesday

Independence Day (National Day)

Holiday - Mar 28- 2025 - Friday

Shab-e-Qadar (Night of Destiny)

Banks-Government

Holiday -Mar 28- 2025 - Friday

Jumatul Bidah

Holiday -Mar 29- 2025- Saturday

Eid-ul-Fiter Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday -Mar 30- 2025 - Sunday

Eid-ul-Fiter Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday -Mar 31 - Monday

Eid-ul-Fiter (End of Ramadan)

Holiday - Apr 1- 2025 - Tuesday

Eid-ul-Fiter Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - Apr 2- 2025 - Wednesday

Eid-ul-Fiter Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - Apr 14- 2025 - Monday

Pahela Baishakh (Bangla New Year)

Banks-Government

Holiday - May 1- 2025 - Thursday

May Day / May Dibos

Holiday - May 11- 2025 - Sunday

Buddha Purnuma (Buddha Day)

Holiday - June 5- 2025 - Thursday

Eid-ul-Azha Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - June 6- 2025 - Friday

Eid-ul-Azha Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - June 7- 2025 - Saturday

Eid-ul-Azha (Feast of Sacrifice)

Holiday - June 8- 2025 - Sunday

Eid-ul-Azha Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - June 9- 2025 - Monday

Eid-ul-Azha Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - June 10- 2025 - Tuesday

Eid-ul-Azha Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - July 1- 2025 - Tuesday

July Bank Holiday banks

Holiday - July 6- 2025 - Sunday

Ashura (Muharrum)

Banks-Government

Holiday - Aug 16- 2025 - Saturday

Sri Krishna Janamashtami

Holiday - Sep 5- 2025 - Friday

Eid-e-Milad-un Nabi (The Prophet's Birthday)

Holiday - Oct 1- 2025 - Wednesday

Durga Puja Holiday

Banks-Government

Holiday - Oct 2- 2025 - Thursday

Durga Puja (Bijoya Dashami)

Holiday - Dec 16- 2025 - Tuesday

Bijoy Dibosh (Victory Day)

Holiday - Dec 25- 2025 - Thursday

Christmas Day

Holiday - Dec 31- 2025 - Wednesday

New Year's Eve Bank Holiday

Impact of Bank Holidays on the Economy

The closure of banks during these holidays has several effects on both the financial industry and the broader economy. While most private companies continue operations, the financial institutions’ shutdown creates specific challenges and disruptions:

Delay in Financial Transactions: Transactions such as money transfers, payments, and clearing of checks cannot be processed during the bank holidays. For businesses and individuals needing urgent financial services, the closure may result in delays.

Stock Market Closures: The Bangladesh Stock Exchange (BSE) is also affected by bank holidays. Without operational banks, trading cannot proceed as usual, and thus stock trading may come to a temporary halt.

Business Planning and Payroll: Many businesses, particularly those that rely on banking for payments and payroll distribution, need to plan ahead to avoid delays in their operations. Consequently, employers may release salary payments early to account for the holiday period.

Impacts on the National Economy: In cases of long public holidays, there may be a temporary slowdown in economic activities. This can affect both the consumer market and manufacturing sectors, particularly industries that depend on just-in-time delivery models.

Last year, holidays for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday on Mar 17 and National Mourning Day on Aug 15, the day of the assassination of the nation’s founding father and his family, were observed but have since been cancelled following a recent government executive order.

In Bangladesh, bank holidays are essential in reflecting the nation's cultural, religious, and historical values. The scheduled closures impact daily life, from personal banking to national economic activities. While these holidays allow people to celebrate and observe significant cultural and religious milestones, they also demand advance planning to mitigate disruptions to business operations. For both businesses and individuals, understanding the Bangladesh Bank holiday calendar is essential to navigate the timing of financial transactions and other economic activities. Despite the challenges posed by these closures, they also serve as a vital reminder of the country's heritage, bringing people together in celebration of shared traditions and milestones.