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Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise business digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the business digest for 13th October 2026.
Scheduled banks across Bangladesh will remain closed for five consecutive days from 20 to 24 October to observe Durga Puja and the weekly holidays. Bangladesh Bank announced the nationwide operational suspension in a circular issued to managing directors on Monday.
According to the central bank, banks will remain closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for religious festivities. The holiday period will then run directly into the regular weekend closure on Friday and Saturday.
Despite the extended religious holiday period, all scheduled banks must remain open under regular operating schedules on Saturday, 17 October. The official regulatory directive was issued to managing directors and chief executive officers of scheduled banks operating across Bangladesh.
The directive instructed bank branches at seaports, land ports and airports to remain operational for up to seven days a week. Branch officials may coordinate with local customs authorities to ensure essential banking services for continuous import and export activities.
Source: BSS
The International Monetary Fund identified potential market risks on Tuesday, stating an artificial intelligence slowdown, rising bond yields and cyberattacks do not necessarily threaten financial stability unless amplified by underlying vulnerabilities. The Global Financial Stability Report highlighted elevated systemic vulnerabilities despite recent resilience.
According to the report, tech hyperscalers now account for 10 per cent of global investment-grade bond issuance, up from under one per cent in 2024. Higher energy prices simultaneously pushed sovereign bond yields upward, potentially worsening debt burdens for countries refinancing short-term debt.
The IMF said an artificial intelligence correction could generate global consequences if amplified by underlying leverage across derivatives and margin borrowing. The organisation said expanding reliance on concentrated software services also left digital financial networks vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
Under hypothetical stress tests, banks representing 22 per cent of global banking assets were found to have weak capital levels, up from 18 per cent in 2025. The fund called on policymakers to curb excessive leverage, enforce vendor oversight and restore debt sustainability.
Source: The Business Standard
Brent crude rose to nearly $107 a barrel on Monday after Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and statements by US President Donald Trump unsettled markets. The commodity gained 2.0 per cent to reach $106.83 per barrel amid supply concerns.
West Texas Intermediate crude increased 1.8 per cent to $93.54 per barrel. Doubts intensified after Russia refused to confirm an 'energy ceasefire' announced by Trump, following the American administration's decision to purchase Russian diesel fuel under eased trade sanctions.
Saxo UK strategist Neil Wilson said oil prices remained above $100 following strikes on Riyadh airport, describing the American purchase of Russian diesel as minimal. Saudi Arabia's energy minister said domestic infrastructure was tested by the attacks.
eToro US investment analyst Bret Kenwell said persistent inflation and rising interest rates elevated expectations for corporate earnings. Financial markets now await quarterly results from major American banking institutions alongside key United States inflation data this week.
Source: BSS
The government pledged up to 200 crore dirham to rescue state-owned Janata Bank's branches in the United Arab Emirates in a letter sent on 23 September. The financial commitment provides Tk 6,706 crore to maintain banking services across four overseas branches following regulatory directives from the Emirati central bank.
Emirati regulators ordered the closure of the branches after the lender failed to maintain the mandatory 40 crore dirham in paid-up capital, holding only 10 crore dirham. A previous capital injection of Tk 1,003 crore in September proved insufficient due to larger balance-sheet shortfalls.
Finance Secretary Md Khayeruzzaman Mozumder said in an official letter that the government will reinforce the lender's overall capital base. He said the branches maintain vital expatriate remittance and trade services overseas.
The Finance Division said the recapitalisation will proceed under domestic regulations in coordination with Bangladesh Bank and Janata Bank. The measure aims to safeguard the four Emirati branches established in 1976 while securing bilateral economic cooperation between both nations.
Source: Prothom Alo
Bangladesh Bank relaxed lending restrictions on Monday for two Beximco Group companies to restore normal commercial operations despite their loan default status. Circulars sent to bank executives confirmed that Beximco LPG Unit-1 and Shinepukur Ceramics may access conditional financing.
Under the directives, Beximco LPG Unit-1, a defaulter with National Bank, can open letters of credit against 100 per cent margins until 31 December next year. The central bank waived statutory restrictions under the Bank Company Act 1991 to permit working capital.
To qualify, the company must deposit earnings into a designated account for proportionate debt repayment. Similarly, the central bank permitted Sonali Bank defaulter Shinepukur Ceramics to renew its Tk 1.05 billion working-capital limit in the national interest under matching repayment rules.
Bangladesh Bank said the government and the monetary authority bear no financial liability for new lending. The measure follows an earlier decision on 9 October allowing Beximco Computers to renew a Tk 160 million guarantee through Sammilito Islami Bank for state projects.
Source: bdnews24.com
That concludes today’s briefing. Stay with Beyond Headlines for in-depth news and analysis, explainers, opinion pieces, long reads, and more.
Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise business digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the business digest for 12th October 2026.
- Digest
Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise business digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the business digest for 11th October 2026.
- Digest
