Customers of Sammilito Islami Bank were able to withdraw their deposits through regular banking procedures for a second consecutive day, with Tk 670 crore withdrawn from branches across the country on Monday and Tuesday.

However, the amount actually withdrawn was significantly lower than the amount requested by depositors. Over the two days, customers submitted withdrawal applications seeking a total of Tk 2,345 crore, against which the bank paid Tk 670 crore.

The information was disclosed by bank sources .

A senior Bangladesh Bank official said 37,600 customers applied to withdraw their deposits over the past two days, while around 14,000 customers actually withdrew their money.

He said withdrawals increased slightly on the second day compared with the first, as many customers who could not visit the bank on Monday came on Tuesday. The bank paid customers in full according to their requirements, he added.

Sammilito Islami Bank Managing Director Md Abedur Rahman Sikder said the number of customers actually withdrawing deposits was much lower than the number who had submitted applications.

“Many customers come to the bank, observe the overall transaction situation and leave without withdrawing their deposits. New customers are also opening deposit accounts at many of our branches,” he said.

Sammilito Islami Bank was formed through the merger of five banks—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank and EXIM Bank. The merged bank currently operates under the name Sammilito Islami Bank, with a total of 761 branches.

According to available information, a total of 74,000 applications have been submitted to withdraw funds from the five merged banks, involving claims of Tk 3,925 crore.

To facilitate the repayment of depositors, Bangladesh Bank provided Tk 5,000 crore to Sammilito Islami Bank last Sunday. The bank then distributed the funds to various branches from its head office on Monday morning.

Visits to branches in Motijheel, Paltan and Malibagh in Dhaka on Tuesday, as on Monday, found many customers arriving to withdraw money they had deposited over a long period. Many depositors were able to withdraw their funds smoothly from the morning.

After being able to access their deposits following a prolonged period of uncertainty, customers expressed relief and satisfaction. They also welcomed the return of normal banking operations after the long-running deadlock.