Bangladesh Bank (BB) recorded a net profit of Tk 25,977 crore for the recently concluded fiscal year FY2025-26, marking an increase of Tk 3,357 crore compared to the previous fiscal despite ongoing economic challenges.
The final financial statements for FY2025-26 were approved on Sunday (August 30) during a Board of Directors meeting chaired by Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman at the central bank's headquarters.
During the meeting, the board members also approved an incentive or 'performance bonus' equivalent to six basic salaries for central bank officials and employees.
According to central bank data, Bangladesh Bank posted a net profit of Tk 22,620 crore in FY2024-25. In FY2023-24, the central bank earned a gross profit of nearly Tk 40,000 crore, with a net profit standing at Tk 15,300 crore.
Despite a prevailing economic slowdown, the central bank's lending operations remained robust during the last fiscal year. Amid liquidity shortages in the banking sector, commercial banks borrowed heavily from Bangladesh Bank to meet daily operational demands, generating substantial interest income for the central bank.
Furthermore, significant earnings were realized from foreign currency reserve investments made in various countries and international bonds, benefiting from elevated interest rates in global markets.
However, central bank officials expressed nuanced views on the soaring profits. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior BB official noted that earning profits is not the primary function of a central bank.
"The core responsibility of a regulatory body is to supervise the banking sector, control inflation, boost private sector investment, and generate employment," the official stated, adding that while volatility in the economy and banking sector drove the revenue surge, the central bank must remain focused on maintaining money market stability.
The board meeting was informed that a major portion of the central bank's net profit will be transferred to the government exchequer to help cushion the national revenue deficit.