Central Bank Raises Repo Rate To 7.75%

Bangladesh Bank will release redesigned banknotes before Eid-ul-Azha 2025, featuring cultural and historical themes instead of full human portraits. The Tk20 note with images of Kantajiu and Buddhist temples will be issued on May 22.

Bangladesh is forming a dedicated fund to manage seized assets from money laundering cases. Recovered money will support affected banks in repaying depositors, while funds from non-banking crimes will aid the poor. BB Governor Ahsan H. Mansur confirmed over Tk 1.3 trillion in immovable assets and US$164 million abroad have been attached.

On Sunday, T-bill yields in Bangladesh showed a mixed trend as banks shifted preference toward longer-tenure securities. The yield on 91-day T-bills rose to 11.65% from 11.54%, while yields on 182-day and 364-day T-bills declined to 11.51% and 11.62%, down from 11.64% each.

Poverty in Bangladesh is worsening as inflation consistently outpaces wage growth, leaving millions unable to afford basic necessities. Over the past three years, food and living costs have surged, but incomes have stagnated, pushing almost three million more people into extreme poverty in 2025.

Despite persistent high inflation exceeding 9%, Bangladesh’s public food distribution under social protection schemes dropped by over 7% year-on-year in the first three quarters of FY2024-25, mainly due to political instability and disruptions in local governance. This reduction—from 25.34 lakh tonnes last year to 23.46 lakh tonnes—comes as rising prices continue to strain the poor.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a Tk 9.0 billion startup fund aimed at accelerating economic growth by providing capital to new enterprises. The fund will be distributed through commercial banks and is part of the government's initiative to foster innovation and investment in the startup sector.