Published: 11:57 PM, 15 September 2026
Bank Accounts Holding More Than Tk 1 Crore Are Soaring
From Left: Badiur Rahman, Professor Anu Muhammad, Barrister Sara Hossain and Dr. Iftekharuzzaman. -AA
At a time when rising commodity prices and the increasing cost of living are forcing a large section of Bangladesh's lower- and middle-income population to regularly dip into their savings just to manage household expenses, a completely opposite picture is emerging in the banking sector.
As the economic condition of the country's wealthy class and large institutions improves, the number of bank accounts holding more than Tk 1 crore is rising rapidly. The latest updated data released by Bangladesh Bank clearly highlights this contrast and the growing inequality in the country's economy.
According to the central bank's data, by the end of June this year, the number of bank accounts holding deposits of more than Tk 1 crore had risen to 141,562 across the country's banking sector. Just three months earlier, at the end of March, the figure stood at 136,485. This means that the number of accounts with deposits exceeding Tk 1 crore increased by 5,077 in just three months.
An overall review of the banking sector shows that, by the end of June, the total number of bank accounts in the country stood at 186,384,588, while total deposits reached Tk 22.10 lakh crore. At the end of the previous quarter, in March, total deposits stood at Tk 21.58 lakh crore. This means that overall deposits increased by Tk 52,419 crore in just three months.
Experts and people familiar with the sector say that these two contrasting developments primarily reflect the growing gap in the distribution of wealth in society. On one hand, high inflation is reducing the standard of living of ordinary people, forcing many to withdraw money from banks or use their accumulated savings to meet everyday expenses. On the other hand, the income and bank deposits of large businesses, corporate institutions and a section of wealthy people are increasing significantly.
In addition, some money that had remained outside the formal banking system for a long time, including idle funds and money circulating in informal sectors, may also be returning to the banking system as confidence in the financial environment improves. This has contributed to the overall increase in bank deposits.
However, Bangladesh Bank has clarified that the statistics on accounts containing more than Tk 1 crore cannot be used to determine the exact number of individuals who are genuine "crorepatis" or millionaires. This is because the figures include accounts belonging not only to individuals but also to various corporate institutions, companies and government agencies. Moreover, in many cases, the same individual or institution maintains multiple bank accounts.
Immediately after independence, in 1972, there were only five depositors in Bangladesh with accounts containing at least Tk 1 crore. Over the following decades, however, the number increased at a remarkable rate. In 1990, there were 943 accounts containing Tk 1 crore or more. By 2008, the number had risen to 19,163, and by December 2020, it had reached 93,890.
The upward trend did not stop in subsequent years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic crisis that followed. Instead, the number of such accounts continued to rise. In December 2023, the figure reached 116,908, while by the end of December 2025, it had increased to 134,044.
Finally, the number surpassed 141,000 in June this year. This rapid increase appears to indicate that the benefits of overall economic growth are not being distributed equally across society. Rather, it suggests that a significant share of the country's growing wealth is becoming concentrated in the hands of a particular affluent section of the population.
The contrasting trends in household finances and large bank deposits therefore raise important questions about the nature of economic growth in Bangladesh. While aggregate deposits may reflect increased financial activity and greater confidence in the banking system, the simultaneous pressure on ordinary households highlights the need for policies that ensure the benefits of economic development reach a broader section of society.
Former Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) Badiur Rahman said that the rising number of billionaires in an underdeveloped country like Bangladesh is highly suspicious and it needs to be thoroughly investigated. It's known to everyone that some business tycoons dodge millions of dollars in taxes and thus they fatten up their coffers, Badiur Rahman further said.
Barrister Sara Hossain said that mounting number of bank accounts holding more than 1 or 2 crore taka is a sharp reflection that the discrepancies between rich and poor people is widening without respite. Under these circumstances fighting poverty and combating corruption is next to impossible, Sara Hossain stated.
Professor Anu Muhammad, Jahangirnagar University said that during last around two decades no influential loan fraudster was subjected to exemplary punishments. Rather in many cases it was seen that mega financial racketeers were rewarded in various ways, he added. Anu Muhammad commented that the entire financial system's money is clutched by a handful number of big shots.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said that the names and particulars of the new billionaires should be collected from banks and their earning sources and assets should be examined by NBR and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) immediately.
