Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC retained its position as the country’s largest remittance-collecting bank in the fiscal year 2025-26, while state-owned Bangladesh Krishi Bank recorded the strongest improvement to become the second-largest recipient of expatriate earnings.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, Islami Bank collected $6.88 billion in remittances during FY2025-26. Bangladesh Krishi Bank secured the second position with $4.10 billion, followed by BRAC Bank, which received $2.97 billion.

Bangladesh received a record $35.59 billion in remittances through formal banking channels during the fiscal year, marking a 17.3% increase from $30.30 billion in FY2024-25.

Islami Bank also topped the remittance ranking in the previous fiscal year with $4.97 billion. At that time, Bangladesh Krishi Bank ranked fourth with $2.11 billion, while BRAC Bank was fifth with slightly over $2.5 billion, indicating significant gains for both banks over the past year.

Among other lenders, Trust Bank ranked fourth by collecting $2.50 billion in remittances. State-owned Agrani Bank and Janata Bank followed in fifth and sixth positions, receiving $2.48 billion and $2.08 billion, respectively.

Other major remittance recipients included The City Bank with $1.12 billion, Dutch-Bangla Bank with $1.09 billion, Eastern Bank with $1.07 billion, and Pubali Bank with $1.04 billion.

The central bank said the robust remittance inflows have helped ease pressure on Bangladesh’s external sector. During the first 11 months (July-May) of FY2025-26, the country’s current account deficit narrowed to $301 million, down from $778 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Bangladesh Bank also reported that the country’s Net International Reserves (NIR) rose to $27.92 billion, supported by stronger remittance inflows, a relatively stable exchange rate, multilateral financing, and lower import payments.