The banking sector is left with only Tk 3,364 crore of idle money, not Tk 90,000 crore as reported in the media, Bangladesh Bank said yesterday.

The banking regulator said the amount is not too big compared to the number of banks.

Currently, there are 56 banks in the country and often media reports mentioned that the banking industry has Tk 90,000 crore to Tk 100,000 crore of idle money.

“It's not true,” BB said in a statement. “After meeting the statutory requirement, banks invest its funds in the government securities, which are safe and profitable.”

The BB also said the call money market remains quite stable with around 7 percent interest rate.

The central bank data shows banks' capital adequacy ratio has also increased to 11.35 percent, significantly higher than the regulatory requirement under Basel II of 10.51 percent.

Despite odds, loan disbursement by the banks also increased by 13.99 percent in 2014 compared to the same period a year ago, the BB said.