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The banking sector in the country is witnessing a sharp exodus of ultra-wealthy depositors even as small and medium savers pour money into accounts in record numbers, a divergence analysts say reflects deepening risk aversion among big investors following the country’s political transition.
Bangladesh Bank data show the number of individual accounts holding more than Tk50 crore plunged to just 15 in March 2026, down from 72 in June 2024 – a fall of nearly 80% in under two years.
Accounts holding between Tk25 crore and Tk50 crore fell to 103 from 151 over the same period.
The trend has prompted debate within the banking sector over where the missing sums have gone.
Bankers attribute the flight of large depositors to disclosures of irregularities across the sector, the central bank’s drive to restructure and merge weak banks, and broader political uncertainty since the change of government.
They warn that a continued withdrawal of large deposits could squeeze liquidity, particularly at banks already under financial stress.
Retail savings climb
By contrast, small and medium-sized deposit accounts have grown substantially.
Central bank data show the private sector held 83% of total bank deposits as of end-March 2026, with household deposits alone accounting for 56%.
Other private entities, including corporations, financial auxiliaries and non-profit institutions, held 27%, while the public sector accounted for the remaining 17%.
Deposits remain heavily concentrated in small accounts, reflecting continued progress on financial inclusion.
Accounts with balances up to Tk2 lakh rose from 13.28 crore in March 2024 to 15.89 crore in March 2026 , while accounts in the Tk2 lakh to Tk25 lakh range increased from 88.8 lakh to 1.15 crore – a steady rise in savings among middle-income households.
Accounts with balances up to Tk50 lakh also expanded steadily, rising from 3.65 lakh in June 2024 to 3.89 lakh in March 2025 and further to 4.47 lakh in March 2026.
Bangladesh Bank said the figures point to a deposit base that is becoming increasingly diversified, driven by greater participation from retail customers and middle-income households, aided by financial inclusion and digital banking initiatives.
The central bank cautioned, however, that sustaining this momentum will depend on maintaining depositor confidence and prudent interest rate management.
Why the wealthy are pulling out
Economists say the shift reflects both economic and political calculations.
Mustafa K Mujeri, former chief economist of Bangladesh Bank, told the Daily Sun that many business groups who benefited under the previous administration have become far less visible since the transition.
Some wealthy businessmen seen as close to the former government are reported to have gone into hiding, with many closing accounts to avoid potential scrutiny while shifting wealth into real estate, gold, overseas assets and other alternative investments.
Bangladesh Bank’s own assessment suggests some depositors are splitting large sums across multiple smaller accounts before moving the funds elsewhere – a pattern contributing to the decline in high-value accounts.
Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office, said the trend is likely most pronounced among customers who held substantial deposits in financially weaker banks, with many now spreading funds across several accounts or diversifying into other investments.
He urged Bangladesh Bank to closely track the changing deposit pattern to assess its implications for financial stability.
While the growth in retail depositors is encouraging for financial inclusion, he cautioned that a rapid exit of large depositors could strain bank funding, since high-value accounts are a key source of low-cost liquidity.
A senior Bangladesh Bank official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said affluent depositors tend to be highly sensitive to political and policy shifts.
“Whenever there is a major political transition, large wealth holders tend to move their money to what they perceive as safer destinations,” the official said.
“This behaviour becomes particularly visible in high-value deposit accounts.”