Banks’ CSR spending drops by Tk159cr in first half of 2025
In contrast, CSR expenditure stood at Tk306 crore during the July–December period of 2024.
Spending by banks on corporate social responsibility (CSR) fell sharply in the first half of 2025, with allocations dropping by Tk159 crore compared with the same period last year, according to new data from Bangladesh Bank.
Between January and June this year, banks spent Tk150 crore on CSR activities, down from Tk309 crore in the first six months of 2024. In July-December 2024, CSR spending stood at Tk306 crore.
Bankers say the decline reflects falling net profits across the sector.
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A report published by the central bank today said CSR spending had fallen across education, health, environment and climate, and other sectors.
A senior official of Bangladesh Bank said one of the main reasons for the fall in CSR spending is the decline in banks' net profits.
He added that banks were previously required to make mandatory contributions to funds such as the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and education-based funds. "At present, distributions in these areas have decreased significantly," he said.
Out of 61 banks in the country, 12 did not spend a single taka on CSR during the January-June 2025 period. In 2024, 16 banks reported no net profit at all, leaving them unable to allocate funds for CSR, according to the BB report.
For 2025, banks have set a target of Tk538 crore in CSR spending, equivalent to 3.14% of their net profits in 2024.
Central bank figures show a steep fall across key sectors. In January-June 2024, banks spent Tk63 crore on education, Tk23 crore on health, Tk7.3 crore on environment, and Tk166 crore in other areas.
In the same period this year, allocations dropped to Tk34 crore for education, Tk28 crore for health, Tk5 crore for environment and climate, and Tk82 crore in other categories.
As per Bangladesh Bank regulations, banks and financial institutions may allocate up to 1% of their net profits to CSR.
Of this, at least 30% must be spent on education, another 30% on health, and 20% on environmental protection and climate change mitigation. The remaining 20% may go towards income generation, disaster management, infrastructure development, sports, culture and other areas.
