Central banks hold gold to shield national wealth during global economic shifts. The national gold reserve of Bangladesh has grown into a major financial asset due to record international prices. According to a report by Prothom Alo citing Bangladesh Bank’s audited financial report for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the central bank holds approximately 14,278 kilograms of gold. This entire reserve carries a current valuation of BDT 134.37 billion.The physical volume of Bangladesh’s gold reserve stayed unchanged at 459,163.52 troy ounces compared to the last fiscal year. Rising market prices alone added BDT 24.23 billion to the total gold portfolio value during this period.
How Bangladesh’s Gold Reserve is Distributed Across Vaults
Bangladesh Bank spreads its gold holdings across international institutions and domestic treasury vaults to minimize physical risks. Distributing reserves across multiple global locations is a standard risk management practice for modern central banks.The Bank of England in London secures the largest single share. The UK central bank holds 188,927 troy ounces of this national reserve. Central banks routinely place physical bullion in major financial centers to participate in global gold lending markets. Bangladesh Bank lends portions of this foreign stored gold to international financial institutions for fixed terms. The central bank earns interest and fee revenue through these lending agreements instead of letting the metal sit idle.
The central bank holds another 186,274 troy ounces as deposits and investments split between two major commercial banks. Standard Chartered Bank (London, UK) manages 92,739 troy ounces. HSBC (London, UK) secures the remaining 93,535 troy ounces of this commercial deposit. Exactly 83,961 troy ounces stay inside the domestic vaults of Bangladesh Bank in Dhaka. The bank also maintains a separate reserve of 168,728 troy ounces of silver in its domestic vaults. Higher market rates recently pushed the valuation of this silver from BDT 750 million to approximately BDT 1.21 billion.
Geopolitical events and macroeconomic policy shifts have fueled steady demand for precious metals over the past two years. Data from GoldPrice.org shows the international price of gold stood at 3,297 dollars per ounce in June 2025. The price soared to 5,600 dollars in January 2026 before settling near 4,430 dollars per ounce by early September 2026. Local retail markets mirrored this international price surge. Records from the Bangladesh Jewellers Association indicate 22 carat gold traded at BDT 170,236 per bhori in June 2025 which reached BDT 235,146 per bhori by early September 2026.
Distributing reserves across multiple global locations is a standard risk management practice for modern central banks. Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, Mustafizur Rahman stated that, “Gold has always been a reliable form of collateral and a safe investment. Given the continuous rise in gold prices in the international market, maintaining significant gold reserves in the central bank represents a positive and profitable investment.”
The strategic distribution of this 14,278 kilogram reserve across London and Dhaka allows Bangladesh Bank to generate returns through international lending facilities while retaining sovereign control over physical domestic assets.
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