The commercial banks experienced a relatively low turnout of clients during the blockade enforced by the main opposition BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) Sunday.

Branches of different banks in the city run their operations under additional security measures for their safety.

According to witnessing account, only a few clients of different bank branches went to respective bank due to unavoidable needs for depositing money under savings schemes, withdrawal of cash and trade and commerce purposes.

“Clients’ turnout is very low today. However, we are providing online services regarding deposit, withdrawal of cash and services to facilitate trade and commerce,” said an official of Motijheel branch of the Premier Bank Ltd, seeking anonymity.

The bank branch has provided services to clients by keeping shut down the front-side entrance and opened an inside entrance for use of clients by deploying security guards outside and at the entrance.

The similar situation prevailed at the Motijheel branch of NCC bank Ltd, another commercial private bank, where the management took out extra-caution to cover security aspects.

Meanwhile, an official of Bangladesh Bank (BB) said the currency department of the central bank was not as busy as other normal days.

“The demand for cash was low from the side of the commercial banks due to the blockade,” said an official, of the department, seeking anonymity.

The central bank official said people have become traumatised because of the arson attack to public buses and other vehicles during the blockade that refrain them from coming outside, specially to the banks.

Commenting on the adverse affect of political programmes like blockade and hartal, President of Exporters Association of Bangladesh, Abdus Salam Murshedy said such programmes always act against the spirit of economic activities.

News: The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/10th-Dec-12