Show "hotline numbers" in visible places

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) asked the banks on Tuesday to display the "hotline numbers" of the respective bank and the central bank in visible places of their all branches and sub-branches, so that the customers can lodge complaints easily and get quick remedies.

Currently, all the commercial banks have their hotline numbers and the BB also has its hotline number - 16236. But usually, these numbers cannot be seen easily in the banks.

The circular, signed by BB Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) director Harun-Ur Rashid, directed that the numbers should be displayed in visible places, so that the customers can get easy remedies regarding their complaints.

The hotline numbers have to be tagged with the complaint boxes, set by all banks, according to the BB.

When contacted, BB spokesperson Md Mezbaul Hoque told the FE that every bank has its own hotline number, and the customers can complain between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm during the working days.

He also said the BB also receives calls through its hotline number at the same time during the working days. But these hotline numbers are not "toll-free".

According to the central bank, telephonic communication is an effective tool to help ensure quick remedies of complaints. Such communication is also important in widening digital banking and building the 'Smart Bangladesh'.

jasimharoon@yahoo.com