Dhaka, June 11 -- Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has proposed scrapping the requirement for commercial banks to obtain Bangladesh Bank approval when relocating branches within the same region.

Presenting a Tk 9.38 trillion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in parliament on Thursday, he said procedures related to branch rentals, relocations, interior works, and lease renewals would be streamlined.

In his budget speech, he proposed that decisions on such matters, including the relocation of branches within the same area, be left to the boards of directors of individual banks, removing central bank oversight in these cases.

Currently, Bangladesh Bank sets standards for opening new branches and related furnishing and renova...