Bangladesh, April 8 -- Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday assured depositors of the five banks merged into Sammilito Islamic Bank that their funds will be returned in phases under a structured repayment plan.

The clarification came during a press briefing held at the central bank's Sena Kalyan Bhaban office, following a protest by depositors of the merged banks in front of Bangladesh Bank headquarters earlier in the day.

"A specific scheme has been developed to return depositors' money, and the process is already underway in stages," Bangladesh Bank Assistant Spokesperson Shahriar Siddique said at the briefing.

Under the scheme, depositors will be able to withdraw up to Tk 2 lakh immediately, after which they will be allowed to withdraw T...