The three NCBs -- Sonali Bank, Agrani Bank and Janata Bank-- and privately owned Pubali Bank channeled $2.28 billion out of the total $3.07 billion remittance from various countries.

Sources in the NCBs attributed their better performance in bringing remittance to massive promotional activities and initiatives to reach the money to recipients within shortest possible time.

The NCBs also adopted 'reward and punishment' strategy for their officials to bring more remittance through banking channel discouraging the expatriates who used to send their money through hundi.

Bankers said increased facilities provided to the remitters by both state-owned and private banks following the enactment of Anti-money Laundering Act in parliament also contributed to the development.

Sonali Bank topped the list bringing $964.75 million or 31.38 per cent of the total remittance came mainly from the Middle Eastern countries.

Another NCB, Agrani Bank, has brought remittance worth $482.73 million and Janata Bank $318.7 million but the fourth NCB Rupali Bank's figure was comparatively low, only $19.63 million.

However, among the private commercial banks (PCBs), Pubali Bank performed the best, channeling remittance worth $511.22 million.

About the success of Pubali Bank, its officials said managing director of the bank visited a number of Middle Eastern countries and talked to the exchange houses' officials as part of promotional activities.

According to available statistics, $1.78 billion has been sent through four NCBs, which is 58.07 per cent of the total amount while $1.19 billion came through PCBs which is 38.58 per cent of the total.

Foreign banks brought $85.78 million or 2.79 per cent while only $18.40 million or 0.6 per cent came through specialised banks.

Among other PCBs, Islami Bank sent $246.55 million, Uttara Bank $186.28 million, National Bank $105.54 million, AB Bank $26.05 million, City Bank $15.6 million, Oriental Bank $19.3 million, IFIC Bank $17.73 million and National Credit and Commerce Bank $28.7 million.

In the specialised category Bangladesh Krishi Bank brought remittance worth $18.32 million during the period.

Among the foreign banks, Standard Chartered Bank brought $36 million, Citibank NA $28.47 million and American Express Bank $3.7 million.

According to the statistics, $2.20 billion has been remitted from the Middle-Eastern countries including $1.26 billion from Saudi Arabia, $332 million from United Arab Emirates, $334.68 million from Kuwait and $113.66 million from Qatar.

Besides, $461 million has been remitted from the United States, $221 million from the United Kingdom, $41.62 million from Malaysia and $31.75 million from Singapore.