Dhaka, Jan. 1 -- Depositors of five private Shariah-based banks, which were recently merged to form the Sammilito Islami Bank, have begun withdrawing their savings.

Depositors gaining access to their funds on Thursday marks a cautious return of liquidity after a prolonged period of financial distress.

For months, customers had been unable to withdraw the amounts they required from their accounts, while some banks had stopped allowing any withdrawals at all.

Depositors complained that although funds were available at all branches of the five banks in Motijheel, customers were unable to access money from other Dhaka branches, including those in Karwanbazar and Banani.

The Sammilito Islami Bank was formed by merging Exim Bank, First Secu...