The interbank call money rate reached a new high of 9.43%, signaling a liquidity problem in the money market. The overnight borrowing rate’s highest bid was 10%, and the lowest was 8%, averaging 9.43%. This rate is the highest seen in the last five years, with banks investing more in high-yielding government treasury instruments.
Since Bangladesh Bank stopped printing money in August, the call money rate has been increasing. The rise in government treasury yields to around 12% has attracted banks, leading to a liquidity shortage in the market. The elevated call-money rate suggests a higher cost of emergency funds for some banks, despite an overall liquidity surplus. Banks are exploring ways to address the liquidity shortage, such as raising deposit rates, but responses from depositors are not as expected.