# Long line to withdraw money
# Bankers struggling to cope with pressure
# Relief to pay utility bills
Internet services, which have been shut down due to the student movement, are gradually becoming normal. Internet services are resumed yesterday in limited form after almost 5 days of down days. Meanwhile, since the opening of the bank yesterday after three working days, the services of Bkash, Nagad and Rocket and other mobile financial services (MFS) financial service providers have returned to normal.
However, customers are not able to use the apps as the internet is not available in some places. As a result, all types of transactions including MFS were not normalized there. The agent points which were open for the last three days did not receive electronic money or e-money as they could not deposit cash as the bank was not open. That's why customer pressure has increased in most of the branches after the opening of the bank on yesterday. The branch managers of the bank said that the bank staff had to struggle to cope with the pressure due to the slow speed of the internet.
At a private bank branch in Tejgaon of the capital, it was seen that there was a long line to withdraw money. Talking to the branch manager, it is known that they have provided limited services due to no internet for several days but could not serve a large number of customers due to lack of internet. As a result, customer pressure increased yesterday. He expressed hope that he can complete the transaction within the stipulated time following the instructions of the central bank.
Meanwhile, customers expressed relief that they could recharge in SIM, send money to others, and pay bills as they got enough e-money. A customer named Zahid Hossain said that since there was no money in the pre-paid gas meter, cooking at home was stopped from Sunday. Last few days neighbors and office colleagues had to bring home cooked food. I deposited the gas money yesterday. Hope the suffering will go away. Razzak, a resident of Kunipara area, reported almost the same problem. He said that I was able to pay the gas and electricity bills after three days. I feel peaceful now. Even after paying the electricity bill through rocket it is not showing any amount after recharging the meter. Didn't get any solution even went to rocket agent; he said he can't do anything as he doesn't have internet. So today I am getting relief by paying money in the bank.
E-commerce entrepreneur Reshma said, the main base of my business is on mobile and internet. I have lost a lot of money due to the internet being down for the past few days. I pray that internet service will be activated soon, people will return to normal life.
As the internet is off, customers are taking service through button and smart mobile phones by using USSD method. For this service, customers of MFS Institution Bkash can dial *247#, Nagad customers can dial *167# and Rocket customers can dial *322#. Responsible officials of MFS institutions said that sufficient internet is required for banking services. The service is disrupted due to lack of internet in many places.
Talking to those concerned with the mobile banking sector, it is known that MFS companies mainly conduct business through distributors. Distributors in each area serve customers with this service from local agents. But due to insufficient e-money, sending money to others, or mobile recharge, bill payment, etc. services have been disrupted in the last few days. But yesterday it became very normal.
MFS customers have become accustomed to using apps for a long time. But the customers are in trouble due to the sudden shutdown of mobile phone internet service. Bkash the country's top mobile MFS service provider has suspended its electricity bill payment services. But the mobile phone has been recharged. As the institution does not have internet access, there is no scope for paying electricity bill. However, Bkash has provided uninterrupted service through the use of USSD method.
Shamsuddin Haider Dalim, head of the communication department of BKash, said "Everyone got service through USSD as the internet was down. As broadband internet service was launched in many places on Wednesday, customers can use apps. However, it was not possible to provide e-money support as the internet service was not normal on Tuesday and the bank was closed. But those who had e-money supported it. Sufficient e-money is being given to agents and customers at bank openings today (Yesterday).
Nagad’s public relations officer said, "Cash deposits and withdrawals are very normal now. Especially in places where broadband internet service is available, they are getting *167# number and apps service. But in places where broadband internet service has not yet started, the service is being disrupted.
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of City Bank, Masrur Arefin, said that the bank opened on Wednesday (yesterday) after three working days. We thought there might be an overcrowding of customers. But there was no pressure. Fairly normal transaction is going on. Mobile Financial Services (MFS) services are also somewhat normal.
ZH
