The country's 37 commercial banks on Monday donated over Tk 136 crore to three benevolent organisations -- the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust, Shuchona Foundation and Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the funds from the Bangladesh Association of Banks, a forum for banks' directors, at a programme at Gono Bhaban in the capital.

Islami Bank has donated highest Tk 15 crore followed by National Bank Tk 6 crore.

At the event, IFIC Bank, Standard Bank, Prime Bank, Exim Bank, First Security Islami Bank donated Tk 5 crore each.

Bank Asia, AB Bank, Dhaka Bank, Uttara Bank, United Commercial Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Pubali Bank, NCC Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Social Islami Bank, City Bank, Jamuna Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank and Eastern Bank donated Tk 4 crore each.

NRB Bank handed over Tk 50 lakh to the premier. NRB Commercial Bank also donated a fund at the programme.

At the event, state-owned commercial bank Janata Bank gave Tk 1 crore to Hasina for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, the bank said in a statement.

Later, a delegation of businessmen of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority led by its Executive Chairman Major General Muhammad Habibur Rahman also donated over Tk 29 crore to the prime minister.