Bangladeshis’ deposits in Swiss banks rose about 42 per cent in 2025 to 834.16 million Swiss francs, equivalent to around Tk 12,751 crore, according to annual data released by Switzerland’s central bank on Thursday.
In 2024, Bangladeshi-linked funds parked in Swiss banks had already surged to 589.5 million Swiss francs, or about Tk 8,800 crore, marking their highest level in three years.
The Swiss National Bank data, published annually, tracks funds held in all currencies by Bangladeshi nationals, residents or corporate entities in Swiss banks under the category "Banks in Switzerland". It does not break down the figures by type of depositor or the specific purpose of the funds.
Swiss banks have historically been associated with financial secrecy, raising concerns over their role in facilitating illicit financial flows.
From 2015 to 2020, Bangladeshi deposits in Swiss banks generally ranged between 480 million and 660 million francs. The latest increase is expected to draw renewed scrutiny, particularly as Bangladesh's interim government has made financial transparency and asset recovery central to its reform agenda.
Deposits linked to Bangladeshi nationals and entities in Swiss banks had jumped 33-fold in 2024 from the previous year, when holdings had dropped to a record low of just 17.7 million francs.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh ranked second in South Asia with CHF 834.2 million in deposits, and unlike India, it registered a 41 per cent increase.
India remains the regional leader with CHF 3.2 billion in Swiss bank deposits in 2025, although its holdings fell 8 per cent from the previous year. Deposits from India and Pakistan both declined during the year.
Afghanistan recorded the fastest growth in percentage terms at 48.2 per cent, although its total remains small at CHF 4.7 million.
Overall, South Asia showed a mixed trend. While India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan saw declines in Swiss bank holdings, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Maldives recorded increases.
