The national parliament on Friday passed the much-debated Bank Resolution Bill 2026 amid strong opposition objections.
The bill was passed through voice vote during a session presided over by Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, after Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury proposed the motion for its approval. An opposition proposal to send the bill for public opinion review was defeated by ruling party votes before the final passage.
Jamaat-e-Islami MP Saiful Islam Milon from Dhaka-12 led the opposition's criticism, arguing that the bill undermines the protection of deposits belonging to millions of ordinary citizens.
"Through this bill, the security of deposits of millions of people is being destroyed. In the past, banks were rescued using vast sums from the state treasury, which was taxpayers' money. If this bill is passed, looters will find legal loopholes to escape accountability," he warned.
Milon pointed out that under existing regulations, shareholders bear losses first when a bank fails while depositors remain protected.
He argued the new legal framework could disrupt this chain of command, leaving ordinary account holders vulnerable.
Citing the devastation caused by anonymous ownership structures at several banks including Islami Bank, he insisted that maintaining the previous stricter regulatory framework was essential.
He also alleged that the bill could curtail the central bank's clear legal authority, further eroding confidence in the banking sector.
Finance Minister defended the legislation by outlining the scale of the banking crisis the government inherited. "Discipline, stability, and good governance in the financial sector are the three core principles of this government. We are committed to protecting depositors. But we must understand the reality," he said, revealing that the government has already invested 80,000 crore taka in the banking sector with an estimated additional 100,000 crore taka potentially needed.
"No government can bear such an enormous financial burden under normal circumstances," he added.
The Finance Minister described the bill as creating a "new window" of opportunity by offering an alternative to outright liquidation. He explained that the legislation enables capital restructuring through investors, which would boost depositor confidence and protect small shareholders while keeping banks operational.
"The goal of this bill is to maintain employment and economic momentum by keeping banks running through market-based solutions," he said, adding firmly that there would be no room for leniency toward those who looted the banking sector.
Despite the Finance Minister's assurances, Milon formally moved a motion to send the bill for public review.
Speaker put the proposal to a vote, but it was rejected through voice vote on the ruling party's objection, clearing the way for the bill's passage into law.
