BFIU seizes individuals’ assets, not company accounts, clarifies central bank

Bangladesh Bank has once again clarified that no company’s bank accounts have been blocked or interfered with, regardless of political affiliations.

“We are not affecting any industry. Every sector is allowed to operate freely, without interference or blocking of funds," said Governor Dr. Ahsan H Mansur in a discussion meeting on Monday.

On the other hand, the central bank on Monday issued a circular clarifying that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), a wing of BB did not direct banks to block any company accounts related to the individual account seized by the BB.

The circular states, “It is observed that banks and financial institutions outside the BB guidelines of the company accounts related to individuals suspended the transactions on some accounts; As a result, the day-to-day activities of the institutions are being disrupted, the salaries of employees of the institutions‍‍` payment and import-export related transactions are being hampered.”

According to the BB instruction, banks cannot block any company accounts despite seizing the accounts maintained in the name of individuals and sole proprietorships.