Dhaka, June 20, 2025 —
In a year marked by mass student and public protests across Bangladesh, deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks surged dramatically—rising 33 times within just 12 months. According to the Swiss National Bank’s annual report released on June 19, deposits from Bangladeshi nationals reached a staggering CHF 589.5 million (equivalent to approximately ৳8,834 crore), as of December 31, 2024.
In contrast, during 2023, Bangladeshi citizens had deposited only CHF 17.7 million, or about ৳264 crore, meaning the year-on-year increase was ৳8,570 crore—a jump of unprecedented scale in recent memory.
This figure marks the second-highest deposit level by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks over the past five years, trailing only 2021, when the total reached CHF 871.1 million—the highest on record.
Swiss banks, globally known for their robust privacy laws and client confidentiality, have long been safe havens for the wealthy elite seeking to move capital offshore. While the Swiss National Bank publishes aggregate annual data on foreign deposits, it does not disclose the identities or the sources of the funds.
The 2024 spike in Bangladeshi deposits is drawing attention amid growing concerns over capital flight, money laundering, and governance lapses during political unrest. Critics argue that the dramatic surge suggests illicit transfers of wealth by powerful individuals seeking refuge for their assets during a volatile year dominated by anti-government movements.
Financial analysts and anti-corruption advocates are now demanding transparency and action from Bangladeshi authorities, warning that such massive outflows could undermine the country’s economic stability and weaken public trust.
As Bangladesh continues to grapple with political uncertainty, the record-setting rise in Swiss bank deposits may fuel further scrutiny, both domestically and internationally, over the integrity of financial governance and the accountability of the country’s elite.
