Bangladesh's banking sector is undergoing a notable shift in its deposit profile, with the number of ultra-wealthy depositors declining while small and medium-sized savers continue to expand, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank report released on Thursday.

The report shows that individual bank accounts holding more than Tk 50 crore dropped from 22 in March 2025 to just 15 in March 2026, with the total value of deposits in this category also falling significantly. In contrast, the number of depositors with balances ranging from Tk 200,000 to Tk 2.5 million increased sharply, alongside a substantial rise in the amount of money they hold.

Former Bangladesh Bank Chief Economist Mustafa K. Mujeri said wealthy individuals who enjoyed special privileges under the previous government have become more cautious following the country's political transition. According to him, some have withdrawn funds to avoid possible investigations, while others have spread their money across multiple banks or shifted to alternative investments to reduce risk.

The central bank's data indicate a broader change in savings behaviour. In March 2025, there were 144.8 million accounts with deposits of up to Tk 200,000, holding a combined Tk 149,200 crore. By March 2026, the number had risen to 158.8 million, with deposits increasing to Tk 161,600 crore—an annual increase of 14 million accounts and Tk 12,400 crore in deposits.

Growth was even stronger among depositors holding Tk 200,000 to Tk 2.5 million. Their account numbers rose from 9.785 million to 11.512 million over the year, while deposits climbed from Tk 574,900 crore to Tk 673,500 crore. This category now accounts for nearly 56 percent of total bank deposits, making it the largest contributor to the banking system's deposit base.

The report also shows continued growth among upper-middle-income savers. Accounts holding between Tk 2.5 million and Tk 5 million increased from 388,000 to 447,000, while deposits in this category rose from Tk 140,400 crore to Tk 161,600 crore.

Banking sector experts warn that the decline in large depositors could increase pressure on banks' liquidity management, as high-value deposits are generally a stable and relatively low-cost source of funding. However, they view the steady growth in middle-class savings as a positive sign of improving financial discipline and rising public confidence in formal banking.

Economists say the trend reflects a changing financial landscape in which ordinary households, salaried employees, remittance-receiving families and small entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly important role in supporting the country's banking sector, even as wealthy depositors diversify their assets amid political and economic uncertainty.