# Remittance Inflow Hits $3.17bn in January, Third-Highest on Record

> Bangladesh received $3.17 billion in remittances in January 2026, the third-highest monthly inflow on record and a 45.41% rise year-on-year, Bangladesh Bank said. Economists attribute the surge to a decline in hundi tra…

Published: 2026-02-02 · Desk: Latest · Source: The Business Standard

Bangladesh received $3.17 billion in remittances in January 2026, marking the third-highest monthly inflow on record and a 45.41% increase compared with the same month a year earlier.

The figure was disclosed on 1 February by Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan.

In January 2025, remittance inflow stood at $2.18 billion. The country’s highest-ever monthly remittance was recorded in March 2025 at $3.29 billion, followed by $3.22 billion in December 2025.

According to central bank data, total remittance inflows during the first seven months of the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–January) reached $19.44 billion, up from $15.96 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Bankers and economists attribute the surge largely to a decline in informal money transfer channels, commonly known as hundi, and a corresponding shift to formal banking systems.

Mohammad Ali, Managing Director and CEO of Pubali Bank, said reduced hundi transactions have significantly boosted remittances through official channels. “As hundi transfers decline, more funds are now coming through banks,” he said.

Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), noted that remittance inflows have gained momentum following the change in government. He said the closure of hundi routes has forced remittances into formal channels and added that inflows typically rise ahead of elections.

He also pointed out that around 4.6 million Bangladeshis have gone abroad for employment over the past six years, many of whom are now sending money home.

Challenges ahead

Mustafizur cautioned that sustaining the current momentum will depend on the policies of the next elected government. “While the trend may continue for a few months after the election, maintaining long-term stability will require careful management of supply and demand,” he said.

The increased inflow of dollars has eased pressure on the exchange rate. Since July, Bangladesh Bank has been purchasing US dollars from commercial banks to stabilise the market and has so far bought nearly $4 billion through auctions.

However, despite record remittances, external sector pressures persist. The latest balance of payments data show the current account deficit widened, driven by a rising trade gap due to higher imports. Without strong remittance inflows, the deficit would have been significantly larger. Between July and November, the current account balance stood at –$696 million.

Original reporting: https://www.tbsnews.net/top-news/remittance-inflow-hits-317bn-january-third-highest-record-1349646
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