NRBC Bank holds a workshop on financial inclusion and literacy

NRBC Bank hosted a workshop at its head office in the capital on Monday, 2 June, to raise awareness about financial literacy and promote economic inclusion among marginalised communities.
The event focused on findings from a recently concluded field-level survey in the Sundarbans area, which explored rural financing patterns, barriers to formal banking, challenges in credit disbursement, and the role of informal lending mechanisms. The survey also offered policy recommendations to improve access to finance for underserved populations.
Dr Touhidul Alam Khan, Managing Director and CEO of NRBC Bank, attended the event as chief guest. Other participants included Harunur Rashid, Deputy Managing Director of NRBC Bank; Samir Karki, Country Director of iDE; Selina Shelly Khan, Chief of Party of the NABAPALLAB Project; Faisal Ahmed, Senior Technical Advisor at iDE; Dr Md Zakaria of iDE; and Kazi Md Shafayet Kabir, Head of Retail and Financial Inclusion at NRBC Bank.
Dr Touhidul Alam Khan said the bank is working to bring financially excluded populations under the umbrella of formal banking.
"Through our extensive branch and sub-branch network, we offer account opening options for as little as Tk10, Tk50 or Tk100," he said. "We also provide microloans on flexible terms without requiring collateral, with a special focus on women-led households."
He added that the bank is launching "nano credit" products for low-income individuals and expanding digital service access through platforms like the Planet App.
NRBC Bank is collaborating with the NABAPALLAB Project to roll out financial inclusion initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of marginalised communities. The global development organisation CARE Bangladesh is leading the project, working in partnership with a consortium of nine organisations.
The Sundarbans field survey, conducted by NRBC Bank as part of the project, highlighted the current state of banking access among marginalised groups, their credit needs, and the widespread reliance on informal lending.