From November 2023 to April 2024, Shariah-compliant banks in Bangladesh experienced a significant disparity between loan growth and deposit growth. While deposits in 10 Shariah-based banks increased by Tk2,808 crore, loans surged by Tk25,790 crore, a ninefold increase. This disparity is attributed to declining public confidence and inflation.
As of April 2024, these banks held total deposits of Tk3.83 lakh crore and total loans of Tk4.64 lakh crore. Islamic banks such as Islami Bank and Al-Arafah Islami Bank face challenges in maintaining required liquidity ratios and have exceeded lending limits, necessitating central bank support. Deposits in Islamic banking branches of conventional banks grew by Tk4,507 crore, while their loans increased by Tk3,325 crore. However, deposits and loans at Islamic banking windows inside conventional banks declined.