Employees of banks and financial institutions will enjoy a total of 27 holidays in 2025, according to the holiday schedule finalised by the Bangladesh Bank, reports bdnews24.com.
Of the holidays, eight coincide with Fridays and Saturdays.
The central bank has sent the list of holidays to managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks. This marks an increase from 24 holidays granted this year.
The first holiday of next year will be for Shab-e-Barat, falling on February 15, a Saturday. Another holiday is scheduled on February 21, a Friday, for International Mother Language Day.
Independence Day will be observed on March 26, a Wednesday, while Jumatul Wida and Shab-e-Qadr will be marked on March 28, a Friday.
For Eid-ul-Fitr, banks will remain closed from March 29 to April 02, spanning five days, including a weekly holiday.
The list also includes holidays for Bangla New Year on April 14, a Monday; May Day on May 01, a Thursday; and Buddha Purnima on May 11, a Sunday. Another six-day holiday is set for Eid-ul-Azha from June 05 to 10, with two days overlapping with weekly holidays.
Additional holidays include the Bank Holiday on July 01, Ashura on July 06, Janmashtami on August 16 and Eid-e-Miladunnabi on September 05.
Durga Puja holidays will be observed on October 01 and 02, followed by Victory Day on December 16, Christmas Day on December 25 and another Bank Holiday on December 31.
Holidays for Shab-e-Barat, Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr, Buddha Purnima, Eid-ul-Azha, Ashura and Eid-e-Miladunnabi will depend on moon sightings.
The holiday calendar for 2025 also includes holidays on certain Sundays and Thursdays, potentially extending weekends and providing longer breaks for bank employees.
Last year, holidays for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birthday on March 17 and National Mourning Day on August 15 were observed but have since been cancelled following a recent government executive order.
