Most ATM booths of commercial banks in the capital have remained closed for a week due to cash shortage and security concern. Many banks have suspended their ATM services, citing issues such as network problem and insufficient cash supplies.
Customers get frustrated when they visit different ATMs, finding them either closed or unable to dispense the desired amount of cash.
While talking to this correspondent, an ATM card user said, “From Rampura to Tejgaon, I have visited several ATMs to withdraw money, but most of them remain inoperative. A security guard has informed me that Dutch-Bangla Bank’s ATMs are working but when I reached there, I failed to withdraw money even after waiting in a long queue.”
In several areas across the capital, including Motijheel, Gulshan, and Kawran Bazar, ATM booths either remain closed or partially open, with shutters half-down. Even in the booths that are operational, customers are seen standing in long queues to withdraw money, often with little success.
Bank officers have termed the disruption for security concern which has prevented the timely replenishment of cash in ATMs.
They have also said that the central bank cannot meet the increased demand for cash, worsening the crisis. The problem is temporary and the situation may improve within the week, they added.
A senior official of a private bank said that third-party service providers handle cash replenishment for most banks’ ATMs. Due to recent security concern, services have been suspended, resulting in the current cash shortage in many ATMs.
However, a high official of the central bank that bank branches and ATMs will resume normal operations once the situation improves.
According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, there are 13,428 ATMs across the country--9,409 in urban areas and 4,019 in rural areas. In addition to ATMs, the number of Cash Recycling Machines (CRMs) has increased to 5,450, with the majority (3,985) located in urban areas. Unlike traditional ATMs, CRMs allow customers to withdraw and deposit cash.
