BB orders swift restoration of Q-Cash-linked services amid customer woes

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has ordered the swift restoration of card-related services and other banking features affected by a technical upgrade and system migration of the Q-Cash network, as customers of around 30 banks continue to face disruptions in digital transactions.

In a statement on Tuesday, the central bank said the services of several banks, including card, ATM and NPSB-related transactions, have been disrupted since 9:00pm on 4 October due to technological upgrades, system migration and maintenance activities of Q-Cash, operated by IT Consultants PLC.

Bangladesh Bank is taking necessary measures to protect customers’ interests and ensure continuity of financial transactions,” it said.

The central bank has already summoned the management of IT Consultants PLC and instructed the company to restore switching and all card-related services as soon as possible.

Bangladesh Bank clarified that normal transactions through banks directly connected to the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB), as well as mobile financial service (MFS) providers and other payment service providers, remain operational.

Other payment systems operated by Bangladesh Bank, including the Bangladesh Automated Clearing House Payment System (BACPS), Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN) and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), are also functioning normally, according to the statement.

The central bank advised customers to follow instructions issued by their respective banks and use alternative payment platforms where necessary.