NEWS DESK 

Bangladesh's 36 private banks will donate nearly Tk137 crore to the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund on Sunday to help the government fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Also, four state-owned commercial banks will give Tk5 crore, each Tk1.25 crore to the fund.

Md Nazrul Islam Mazumder, chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Bank (BAB) confirmed about the donation to media.

"We (banks) always want to support people in need. As the coronavirus has affected the whole world, including Bangladesh, we are trying to stand by the government with our small support," he said.

Insiders said 26 banks will give Tk5 crore each while nine fourth generation lenders will donate Tk20 lakh each to take the total amount to Tk136.80 crore.

Mohammad Shams-Ul Islam, managing director of Agrani Bank, said Sonali, Janata, Rupali and Agrani banks together will donate Tk5 crore.

In addition, Exim Bank's employees have decided to donate their two days' salary worth Tk80 lakh to the fund, said Mohammed Haider Ali Miah, managing director of the bank.

Earlier in January this year, BAB gave Tk225 crore to the Prime Minister as donation to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust marking the birth centenary celebration of the father of the nation.