Bangladesh’s banking sector saw a clear rebound when total deposits rose by 9.98 percent year-on-year in the latest report, a sign that savers are returning to banks they trust. At the end of the latest reporting period, overall deposits reached Tk19.14 lakh crore, up from Tk17.41 lakh crore a year earlier, making this the second-strongest growth seen over the past 18 months; the month before recorded a slightly higher 10.02 percent rise, which shows the recovery has momentum after a long period of weak growth. Experts described the figures as encouraging and pointed to three practical reasons for the rise: many depositors moved funds toward well-run banks, deposit rates at most banks were higher than inflation, and yields on treasury bills and bonds fell, making bank deposits relatively more attractive. Most top-tier banks now offer deposit rates between 8.5 and 9.5 percent, while inflation stood lower than those rates, and in the reporting month deposit rates were 25 to 50 basis points above average which drew more funds into savings and fixed accounts. Bank managers said that stronger governance, clearer reporting and improved customer service helped restore trust, while year-end savings campaigns by several banks also pushed up balances. The gains are visible at individual banks too: one major bank reported a 14.7 percent rise in deposits during the year, taking its total to about Tk179,579 crore from Tk156,564 crore a year earlier; another bank added around Tk5,714 crore in deposits, a 12.6 percent increase, and a third saw deposits climb by more than Tk11,000 crore compared with the prior year. At the same time, currency held outside the banking system fell by around Tk8,829 crore, indicating some cash moved back into formal accounts. Analysts say the shift matters because rising deposits can help banks lend more to small businesses and households, and that steady lending growth can support jobs and local projects. Observers add that continued focus on transparent governance, fair interest rates and simple customer services will be important if this recovery is to last. For many savers, the recent trend offers practical benefits: safer places to keep money, clearer returns on savings, and growing access to bank services for everyday needs. If banks keep improving and competing on service, the renewed confidence could widen, helping more people plan and businesses grow over time.
