Depositors of Sammilita Islami Bank have started getting back their deposits. Those who applied to withdraw money on the first day are being refunded starting from Monday.
Necessary funds have been sent from the head office of the bank to various branches. Alongside, online money transfer activities have also started. As a result, the operations of Sammilita Islami Bank are gradually returning to normal.
First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Exim Bank have merged and are operating under the name Sammilita Islami Bank PLC. The total number of branches of the five banks is 761.
Bangladesh Bank has allocated 5,000 crore taka to refund the principal deposits of individual account holders of Sammilita Islami Bank. A total of 74,000 depositors have applied to get their deposits back. Against these applications, they have requested a refund of 3,925 crore taka. Sunday was the last day to submit applications.
Upon visiting several branches in Gulshan, Mohakhali, Banani, and Motijheel in the capital, it was learned that adequate funds have been supplied to the branches to pay the first-day applicants. Many depositors withdrew money starting from the morning. Those who have applied are being contacted by the branches.
Abdur Salam, a former banker, had deposited 3 million taka at the Bhanga branch of Social Islami Bank. On the first day, he applied to withdraw 1.4 million taka and received the money on Monday morning. According to him, he had to run around for money for two years, and this time he has at least received half of his money.
At the Topkhana branch of First Security Islami Bank, 10 to 15 depositors were given money starting from the morning. Those who applied are receiving their money. Depositors are also able to withdraw newly accumulated profit amounts.
At the Uttara branch of Union Bank, eight people applied to withdraw money on the first day. Among them, four withdrew money and others have been contacted. Branch authorities stated that depositors whose profit amounts have been credited are also able to withdraw them.
However, some customers still reported facing suffering. They alleged that although the decision to deduct deposit profits was announced to be cancelled, many branches have not yet received directives in this regard. For some customers, new accounts were opened and only the principal amount was deposited. There is also no clarity on whether the decision to deduct profits will be cancelled in their cases.
In January of this year, Bangladesh Bank had decided to deduct the deposit profits of the depositors of these five banks for the years 2024 and 2025.
