Household savers have emerged as the main driver of Bangladesh’s banking system, pushing total deposits past Tk21 lakh crore even as real returns on savings remained weak.
A Bangladesh Bank review shows total deposits rose to Tk21.01 lakh crore in December 2025, up from Tk18.83 lakh crore a year earlier, marking 11.5 per cent growth despite a tightening macroeconomic environment, the central bank said in its report.
The report, Banking Sector Update: December 2025, shows deposits are heavily concentrated in the private sector, which holds 83 per cent of the total deposit base, while households alone account for 56 per cent of all deposits.
The number of household deposit accounts increased from 14.6 crore in December 2024 to 16.7 crore in December 2025, reflecting 14.2 per cent growth and signalling broader financial inclusion and greater use of formal banking channels.
Household deposits also rose in value, increasing from Tk10.34 lakh crore to Tk11.81 lakh crore over the period.
The data indicate deposit growth is being driven mainly by small and middle-income savers. Accounts holding up to Tk2 lakh rose from 13.8 crore to 15.7 crore. Deposits in the Tk2 lakh to Tk25 lakh range increased from Tk5.52 lakh crore to Tk6.52 lakh crore, pointing to rising savings capacity among the middle class.
At the same time, the number of very large deposit accounts declined, suggesting a gradual redistribution of deposits towards smaller savers and a broader deposit base.
Fixed deposits remain the backbone of the sector, accounting for 48 per cent of total deposits, followed by savings deposits at 21 per cent, reflecting depositor preference for longer-term instruments.
The report said deposit growth continued even as real interest rates remained negative for most of 2025, indicating savers prioritised financial security and access to formal banking over returns.
Among bank groups, first-generation private commercial banks posted deposit growth of 15.3 per cent, the highest among major groups and holding the largest market share.
Fifth-generation banks recorded the fastest expansion at 29.6 per cent, although their market share remains relatively small.
