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BB sets zero interchange fee for Bangla QR transactions
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has set the Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF) at zero for transactions conducted via Bangla QR in an effort to promote digital payments among the general public.
Under the new directive, acquiring institutions will not receive any fee or service charge from issuing institutions for Bangla QR code-based transactions.
The Payment Systems Department-2 (PSD-2) of BB issued a circular letter to top executives of all scheduled banks, mobile financial service (MFS) providers, payment service providers (PSP), and payment system operators (PSO) on Monday (August 10).
According to the circular, signed by Director (PSD-2) Md. Sharafat Ullah Khan, the zero-rate IRF directive will come into effect on October 1, 2026.
The central bank clarified that all other instructions regarding Bangla QR transactions previously outlined in PSD Circular No. 02/2025 (dated February 6, 2025) and PSD-2 Circular Letter No. 05 (dated July 1, 2025) will remain unchanged.
Additionally, PSD-2 Circular Letter No. 05 issued on July 1, 2025, has been repealed with the issuance of the new circular, reports UNB.