United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s agent banking sector is defying conventional trends, recording strong deposit growth even as the number of agents and service outlets declines. According to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank, total deposits in agent banking reached Tk 49,356 crore at the end of 2025, up 18 percent from Tk 41,785 crore in December 2024. This represents a net increase of Tk 7,571 crore. The growth comes amid a contraction in the sector’s physical infrastructure. Agent banking outlets fell from 21,248 in 2024 to 20,501 in 2025, a reduction of 747 service points. Active agents also declined from 16,019 to 15,328 over the same period. Experts attribute the drop in outlets largely to Agrani Bank’s suspension of certain agent banking operations. Remittance inflow crosses $2 billion in just 18 days of February “While the closure of some networks impacted the numbers, the surge in deposits is a positive sign,” said Arfan Ali, a veteran banker and former Managing Director, highlighting renewed public confidence in the formal banking system. Key Performance Indicators (2025 vs 2024): ·         Deposits: Tk 49,356 crore, up 18% ·         Loan Disbursement: Tk 11,755 crore, up 16% ·         Active Accounts: ~2.5 crore ·         Transaction Volume: 2.62 crore in Oct-Dec 2025, down 3% from 2.70 crore Top Banks by Agent Banking Deposits: ·         Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC: Tk 21,530 crore (Market Leader) ·         Dutch-Bangla Bank: Tk 6,887 crore ·         Bank Asia: Tk 6,515 crore ·         Al-Arafah Islami Bank: Tk 3,869 crore ·         BRAC Bank: Tk 2,897 crore Agent banking remains a low-cost avenue for banks to reach rural markets, allowing them to mobilize small savings and channel funds into corporate loans. Around 30 public and private banks currently offer services including cash deposits, loan processing, utility bill payments, and remittance disbursement. Despite a slight decline in transaction numbers, the sector’s loan accounts grew to over 2.39 lakh, signalling its rising importance as a source of credit for small-scale borrowers and rural entrepreneurs.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a revised guideline for ‘Agent Banking Operation’ in the country.   The Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) of the central bank on Thursday issued the revised guideline to ensure smooth operation of agent banking activities. Also read:BB starts releasing new notes ahead of Eid The BB asked banks to ensure two factor authentication (TFA), use of a photo ID, Personal identification Number (PIN), Biometric fingerprint, or any other secret code or message during transactions. The BB directive stated that quarterly/monthly physical visits by bank’s staff or authorized persons are necessary to ensure that agents operate as per the guidelines and the contract. Besides, branch manager/branch nominated officials shall closely monitor the agent banking activities of the outlet linked to the branch. “No agent shall relocate, transfer, replace or close its agent banking outlet without the prior written consent of the bank. Banks have to take prior approval from BRPD for Relocation of outlet and Transfer or Replacement of Outlet ownership,” the guideline said. Also read: BB relaxes agro credit payment schedule to boost food production However, no such approval will be required in case of closure of outlet. Bank has to submit a quarterly report to Financial Institutions Division (FID) providing information on financial irregularities, fraud, forgeries, scams and accidents etc. occurred while conducting agent banking activities and actions taken by the respective bank. The report has to be submitted within 07 (seven) working days after the end of each quarter as per Annexure-E and in case there is no such incident for the reporting quarter, a ‘Nil’ report has to be submitted.

Khulna Zone of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) recently organised the "Agent Banking Business Development Conference" and "Workshop on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing." Muhammad Qaisar Ali, additional managing director of the bank, addressed the conference as the chief guest. Read: IBBL Jashore holds business development conference Md Maksudur Rahman, senior executive vice-president of IBBL, presided over the programme. ASM Rezaul Karim, executive vice-president of the bank, and Md Abdus Salam, head of Khulna Zone, spoke at the event.

Chattogram North Zone, South Zone, Agrabad and Khatunganj corporate branches of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) recently organised the "Agent Banking Business Development Conference" and "Workshop on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing." At a port city hotel, Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and CEO of the bank, addressed the conference as chief guest. READ: IBBL holds agent banking conference in port city IBBL Additional Managing Director Muhammad Qaisar Ali; deputy managing directors JQM Habibullah, Md Nayer Azam; executive vice-presidents ASM Rezaul Karim, Miah Md Barkat Ullah, and Senior Vice-President Mohammad Nurul Hossain Kawsar also spoke. Md Maksudur Rahman, senior executive vice-president, presided over the function.

Dhaka North and Dhaka South Zone of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) organised the "Agent Banking Business Development Conference" and "Workshop on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing" in the capital Wednesday. Md Omar Faruk Khan, additional managing director of the bank, addressed the conference as chief guest. JQM Habibullah, deputy managing director of IBBL, addressed it as a special guest. Read: Pandemic impact: Banks’ bad loans rise by 8 per cent to Tk 1.3 trillion Md Maksudur Rahman, senior executive vice-president, presided over the function. ASM Rezaul Karim, executive vice-president, delivered the welcome speech. Taher Ahmed Chowdhury, chief anti-money laundering compliance officer; senior executive vice presidents Md Jamal Uddin Majumder and Md Mahboob Alam, Muhammad Saeed Ullah, head of Dhaka North Zone, Md Shamsuddoha, executive vice-president, and Mir Rahmat Ullah, head of Dhaka South Zone, also spoke. Read IBBL, JPMorgan Chase Bank hold meeting

The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited inaugurated its Senpara sub-branch under its Mirpur Branch in Dhaka on Monday.