Dhaka, June 18 -- Bangladesh's banking sector is under increasing pressure, with the combined provision shortfall escalating more than six times over the past year, exposing significant vulnerabilities to financial shocks.
Data recently released by Bangladesh Bank reveals that the provision deficit reached Tk 170,655 crore in March 2025, rising sharply from Tk 106,130 crore in December 2024. This figure has climbed steadily throughout the year, from Tk 55,378 crore in September and Tk 31,549 crore in June 2024.
A year earlier, in March 2024, the shortfall was just Tk 26,585 crore.By March 2025, banks were required to hold Tk 275,103 crore in provisions but had only set aside Tk 104,448 crore, leaving a substantial shortfall of Tk 170,655 ...