Digital transactions from banks and mobile financial services (MFSs) have faced sheer disruptions due to the nationwide internet shutdown following the ongoing students' quota-reform movement.
Online dealings through automatic teller machines (ATMs) of all banks came to a total halt for unavailability of the internet.
Remittances through different banks and all MFSs could not be sent to their dear and near ones for blackout.
Users of prepaid power and gas cardholders across the country also faced disruptions as shopkeepers could not help them recharge for the same.
People across the country transact Tk 35-40 billion a day through different mobile financial services, according to stakeholders.
A good number of MFS agent shops in the capital were also closed as the service-seekers could not avail them.
Many MFS shops in Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Uttara, Paltan areas and other major parts of the country also remained shut.
A trader in Dhaka's Khilgaon neighbourhood opened his shop without electricity as he could not recharge his electricity card amid such an unusual situation.
Whenever he was talking to the FE, he was sweating heavily for unavailability of electricity.
Nayim Hawlader, a cardholder of a private bank, said: "I went to an ATM booth in Mohammadpur area but couldn't make any withdrawal from there due to network shutdown."
A bKash agent of the same area said people were coming for transactions and some prepaid meter cardholders got back home without any service.
Mobile financial services showed a decline as many customers did not go outdoors due to the prevailing panicky situation, he told the FE.
Another MFS agent also repeated the same situation, confirming that MFS transactions faced disruptions.
Zafar Alam, managing director and CEO of Social Islami Bank Limited, acknowledged that people were completely unable to transact through ATMs and mobile apps of different banks.
Customers of different banks are suffering to some extent for the time being, which will be over within the short period of time, according to him.
"Our remitters from abroad also couldn't send their money back home for the same reason. However, their problem will be over soon."
Customers of banks have no other options but to wait for now, adds Mr Alam.
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