Bangladesh recorded a strong rebound in remittance inflows in September, with expatriate workers sending home USD 2.68 billion through formal banking channels — the highest monthly total so far in the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to Bangladesh Bank data.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest ‘Monthly Workers’ Remittance Report’ shows that inflows rose sharply from USD 2.47 billion in July and USD 2.42 billion in August. The strongest inflow came in the second week of September, between the 7th and 13th, when migrant workers remitted USD 789 million.

The figure also represents year-on-year growth, rising from USD 2.40 billion during the same month last year. The highest remittance inflow in 2025 was recorded in March, when Bangladesh received USD 3.29 billion.

Private commercial banks remained the dominant players in channeling remittances, handling USD 1.95 billion of the total amount. Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC maintained its leading position among all banks, processing USD 698 million in September.

State-owned banks received USD 466 million, with Janata Bank topping that group at USD 170 million. Specialized banks handled USD 258 million, while foreign commercial banks processed a combined USD 6.24 million, mostly through Standard Chartered Bank.

Remittance inflows, however, dropped across five banks currently involved in merger processes. Social Islami Bank and EXIM Bank received USD 4.51 million and USD 1.14 million respectively, while Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and First Security Islami Bank each reported less than USD 1 million.

Two struggling private lenders — ICB Islami Bank and Padma Bank PLC — failed to record any remittance inflows during the month, the report said.

Economists said the September surge reflects improved incentives and greater use of formal transfer channels ahead of major religious and cultural events, though sustainability will depend on curbing informal remittance routes and maintaining stable exchange rates.