Bangladesh, Oct. 21 -- The outstanding balance of private-sector bank credit remained virtually unchanged between December 2025 and August 2026, reflecting a prolonged lending slowdown amid weak investment demand, subdued domestic consumption and businesses' reluctance to borrow.

Bangladesh Bank data show that the outstanding balance stood at Tk 18.303 trillion at the end of December 2025 and Tk 18.301 trillion in August 2026.

The outstanding stock edged down by about Tk 2.3 billion over the eight-month period, despite some new lending during the period.

The near-zero net change means fresh credit was insufficient to generate a meaningful increase in the outstanding stock.

Although banks continued to extend loans, repayments and othe...