Scheduled bank branches in the capital, the port city and elsewhere in the country have experienced a low turnout of customers Wednesday, the first day after a seven-day-long vacation to mark celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

The attendance of officials and employees were also low in the head offices and branches of different banks though they reopened Wednesday as the vacation ended Tuesday.

However, the bank branches that deal with overseas trade and commerce have passed the day with a moderate pressure of work to facilitate essential banking activities relating to export and import.

“In fact, we have taken tremendous pressures before Eid to complete export and import procedures relating to banking services. The pressure is relatively low today,” said Md. Shajahan Alam, manager of Chittagong Customs branch of Sonali Bank.

As per Bangladesh Bank (BB) directives, commercial banks provided banking services to clients on August 16 and 18, which were public holidays.

A top official of a state-owned bank said the bank branches saw lower crowd mainly because of proactive measures taken as per the central bank directives on providing sufficient financial services during public holidays before Eid.

“Banks have provided financial services to their clients even in holidays. That’s why, adequate cash were supplied to people of all walks,” said the official, seeking anonymity.

“Customers’ low turnout would also continue Thursday,” he said.

A central bank official said bank branches across the country will see usual banking next week as many officials and employees have taken leave for Wednesday and Thursday (August 22 and 23) so that they can enjoy a longer vacation to mark the festival.

Perhaps, banks and other public and private offices will return to full-swing operations from next Sunday (August 26), said the BB official.

Virtually, the public holidays began on August 15, the national mourning day.

News: Daily Sun/Bangladesh/23-Aug-12