Bangladesh Bank plans to set a maximum amount that a single customer can borrow across the entire banking sector, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. The central bank also intends to prioritize the capital market and bond market over banks for large and long-term financing. The measures aim to restore discipline in banking, reduce lending risks and contain non-performing loans. It has begun seeking views from relevant stakeholders and may issue a circular soon if preparations proceed as planned.

A customer can currently borrow up to 25 percent of an individual bank's capital, but there is no limit covering borrowing from the banking system as a whole. Officials said a sector-wide ceiling would reduce the risk of excessive credit concentration in one borrower. They also cited liquidity pressure created when banks use short- and medium-term deposits to finance long-term projects, producing asset-liability mismatches.

The plan is divided into one-year, two-year and five-year stages. Long-term measures include a borrowing cap across banks, stricter action against willful defaulters, legislation for private asset management companies and instructions to use bond issuance instead of bank loans for financing above Tk1,000 crore. Bankers said implementation should be gradual and alternative financing options should be ensured.