Bangladesh Bank has eased withdrawal restrictions for depositors of five Islamic banks being merged into Sammilito Islami Bank PLC, giving customers greater access to their funds while retaining safeguards for the banks’ restructuring process.The revised Bank Resolution Scheme 2025, issued on Sunday with immediate effect, covers EXIM Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank and Union Bank. Their assets, liabilities and human resources are being transferred in phases to Sammilito Islami Bank.The biggest change is for individual depositors with long-term fixed deposits. Under the previous rules, deposits with maturities of more than one year could be locked for three, four or five years, depending on their original tenure.The revised scheme removes those tiers. Such deposits will now be treated as two-year deposits, counted from the later of their original maturity date or December 29, 2025. Depositors will also be allowed to withdraw accrued profit at each renewal.The central bank has widened the scope for early withdrawals in emergencies. Restrictions may now be relaxed fully or partially for medical treatment, education and other important emergency expenses involving depositors, their spouses, parents, sons or daughters.Customers with Hajj savings schemes or confirmed Hajj registration will also be able to have their funds paid directly to the relevant Hajj agency or government without the usual restrictions.The borrowing facility against fixed deposits has also been doubled. Eligible depositors, excluding banks and finance companies, can now obtain loans or investment facilities equivalent to up to 40 per cent of their deposits, compared with 20 per cent previously.The scheme further clarifies that proceeds from savings certificates and remittances will continue to be paid as usual.Profit payments, however, will remain subject to the banks’ financial performance. Profit will be calculated according to Shariah principles only if the five banks earn a net profit. Otherwise, certain categories of depositors may receive a discretionary benefit known as “Ihsan”, subject to Bangladesh Bank approval, including retrospectively.New provisions have also been introduced for deposit pension scheme (DPS) accounts. At maturity, customers can withdraw up to Tk 200,000 from protected deposits, while the remaining amount must be converted into a fixed deposit for at least two years.If a DPS is encashed before maturity, no profit will be paid on the deposited principal, which will instead be converted into a fixed deposit with a minimum two-year tenure.Bangladesh Bank has retained the authority to relax withdrawal restrictions, either partially or fully, for individual depositors or groups of depositors in cases involving emergencies, public interest, financial stability or depositor interests.