, Nov. 23 -- Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Sunday officially halted all direct customer services, including the sale of savings certificates and prize bonds, exchange of torn or damaged banknotes and automated challan services, following an earlier announcement.

The central bank has directed commercial banks to ensure smooth and uninterrupted services in these areas, while intensifying monitoring activities to safeguard the transition.

In a notice issued last Thursday, BB highlighted that central banks worldwide do not provide such services directly at their counters.

The decision, it said, was also driven by security concerns, which were cited as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI).

Originally, the suspension was planned to begin at the Moti...