Officials of different commercial banks said the huge withdrawal put serious pressure on the liquidity of a number of private commercial banks.

But some market experts said the liquidity crisis surfaced as commercial banks needed money to maintain their Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).

In a deal, the rate reached 26 percent when a leasing firm borrowed money. However, in case of bank to bank borrowing the rate was 20 percent, sources said.

The call money rate maintained a steady trend in the last six months and it ranged between 12 percent and 14 percent.

Cash counters of almost all commercial banks remained crowded for hours yesterday, the last working day before the Eid-ul-Fitr.

A huge number of clients also thronged the Bangladesh Bank Motijheel branch to collect fresh notes. Brokers were also active in trading of new notes.

BSS adds: US dollar yesterday was stronger against Bangladeshi taka on Eid pressure.

The dollar was traded at Tk 65.75 against the earlier closing at Tk 65.50-75, dealers of leading commercial banks said.

They said importers are under pressure to pay their outstanding bills against the imports of foods and essential items.

"We experienced an uneven demand for the US dollar today before the three-day holiday," said a dealer of a commercial bank.

Traders and investors rushed to the market to buy the greenback before the holiday, he added.