As the holy month of Ramadan and the festivities of Eid-ul-Fitr approach, the landscape of consumer spending in Bangladesh is undergoing a digital transformation.

As Ramadan continues to reshape consumer spending and financial activity across Bangladesh, banks are witnessing a steady transformation in how customers transact, save, and manage money during the festive season.

Ramadan increasingly shapes Bangladesh’s annual economic rhythm.

Mutual Trust Bank PLC highlights how digital convenience is transforming Ramadan retail. In this interview, MD and CEO, Syed Mahbubur Rahman discusses fostering digital and smart paymentd through the MTB NEO app, MuthoPay, strategic rewards, and seamless MFS integrations to support consumer needs during the festive rush.

Mariam, a private jobholder, stood at the heart of a bustling shopping mall in Dhaka, while her arms were laden with vibrant Eid gifts for her friends and family.

United Commercial Bank PLC highlights how its digital solutions are transforming Ramadan retail.

In the holy month of Ramadan, Bangladesh is witnessing a significant digital transformation in its festive economy.

During Ramadan managing finances and making secure payments become a top priority. Recently, The Daily Star sat down with a representative from NRB Bank PLC to discuss how customer spending habits are changing during this festive season.

During this Ramadan, the nation’s payment landscape is undergoing a significant structural transformation. Sabbir Ahmed, Country Manager for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan at Visa,

Amid rising inflation, Ramadan spending in Bangladesh is shifting toward debit and contactless payments.

The shift away from cash-heavy markets toward seamless digital payment ecosystems marks a turning point for the local banking sector. Mohd. Rafat Ullah Khan, Managing Director & CEO of Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC, emphasises on  the surge in digital adoption during this festive season.

EBL highlights how digital platforms and their EBL Skybanking application are transforming Ramadan retail. In this interview, Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director of EBL details the bank’s efforts to foster value-driven “smart spending” through strategic merchant partnerships, secure remittances, and robust cashless payment systems.

As Ramadan and Eid increasingly reshape consumer spending patterns in Bangladesh, banks are accelerating digital innovation to support convenient financial transactions.

According to the latest Payment Systems report of Bangladesh Bank, in 2024, while ATM withdrawals remain significant at BDT 677 billion, they are now dwarfed by Internet Banking Fund Transfer (IBFT), which settled a staggering BDT 1,961 billion.

The Daily Star (TDS): With Ramadan approaching, how has your bank observed a shift in consumer spending behavior in recent years?

Bank Asia’s festive banking experience redefines Eid celebrations through smart-spending solutions, combining seamless digital payments and exclusive merchant rewards with disciplined savings plans.

Ramadan has always been a month of deep-rooted tradition, but the way we navigate it is undergoing a quiet, digital revolution.