BB buys dollars from commercial banks as forex market steadies

Bangladesh Bank has continued its intervention in the foreign exchange market, purchasing an additional US $171 million from commercial banks on Wednesday as part of its ongoing effort to maintain stability in the taka-dollar rate.

The latest purchase was made from 16 banks at a cut-off rate of Tk 122.30 per US dollar, according to a senior central bank official. This follows another large transaction just two days earlier, when the central bank bought $218.5 million from the same number of banks at the identical rate.

With these two deals, Bangladesh Bank has purchased $389.5 million in just four days in February, reflecting an active stance as dollar inflows rise and pressure builds on the taka to appreciate further.

Officials say the current situation is very different from the acute dollar shortage seen over the past two years. Remittance inflows through formal banking channels have surged, leaving many banks with excess foreign currency. In January alone, inward remittances reached $3.17 billion, one of the highest monthly figures on record.

Against this backdrop, the central bank has stepped in to absorb surplus dollars from the market. Arif Hosain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed the latest purchase and said the intervention was carried out through an auction-based mechanism to manage liquidity in an orderly manner.

Throughout the current fiscal year, Bangladesh Bank has been buying dollars regularly to curb sharp appreciation of the taka and rebuild foreign exchange reserves. So far in FY2025-26, total dollar purchases have reached $4.32 billion, indicating a clear policy choice to remain present in the market.

Since early January, several large-scale interventions have taken place, all at the same cut-off rate of Tk 122.30. Central bank officials say maintaining a consistent rate helps provide clarity to banks, exporters, and remitters, while also setting a practical floor for the exchange rate.

Bankers note that a stable taka is important for export competitiveness and trade planning, especially at a time when global markets remain uncertain. They also point out that rebuilding reserves is a priority after years of pressure caused by high import bills and weak inflows.

As of December 2025, Bangladesh’s net foreign exchange reserves stood at $28.51 billion. Recent dollar purchases are expected to add further strength to that position, giving policymakers more room to manage future shocks.

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For now, the market appears calmer, but Bangladesh Bank’s steady presence suggests that it is not ready to leave things entirely to market forces just yet.