BRAC Bank: Where financial inclusion meets national growth

Bangladesh is entering an important phase in its economic journey. As the economy evolves, businesses become more sophisticated and digital adoption accelerates, the role of banks must evolve as well. At BRAC Bank, our ambition for the next five years is clear: to be Bangladesh's most trusted, innovative and inclusive bank, while creating long-term value for our customers, shareholders and the wider economy.

Our foundation remains rooted in SME banking, reflecting the vision of our founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. Over the years, we have built one of Bangladesh's largest SME banking franchises, while our deposit and asset growth has consistently outpaced the industry. Today, our Funds Under Management have reached Tk1.70 lakh crore, reflecting the trust our customers place in us.

For us, however, growth is meaningful only when it is responsible. Strong corporate governance, transparency, international-standard compliance and disciplined risk management are central to the way we operate. Products and services can be replicated, but trust cannot. Trust is built through consistent decisions, ethical conduct, prudent management and long-term relationships with customers.

Infograph: TBS

That philosophy shapes our approach to lending. We follow the real economy, directing financing towards sectors that create value, employment and economic opportunity. SME banking will remain a core priority, alongside a growing retail franchise and disciplined Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking businesses.

Our financing reaches across manufacturing, services, international trade, agriculture, agro-processing and export-oriented enterprises. We also support major industries including garments, textiles, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, shipping and power. Our objective is not simply to increase the volume of credit we extend. It is to ensure that capital reaches businesses and enterprises capable of generating sustainable economic and social impact.

Trade finance will be an increasingly important part of this journey. We have set our sights on facilitating $9 billion in trade financing in 2026, supporting our long-term ambition of becoming Bangladesh's leading trade bank. Alongside conventional lending, we are expanding supply-chain finance, embedded finance and digital lending to move capital more efficiently to where it can create the greatest impact.

Supporting entrepreneurs remains particularly important to us. Over the past 25 years, BRAC Bank has disbursed more than Tk2 lakh crore to over 20 lakh entrepreneurs, with around 85% of SME loans extended without collateral. Our SME financing has contributed to the creation of more than 1 crore jobs across the country.

But our role goes beyond providing loans. Through mortgage-free finance, scorecard-based products such as Shafollo and Jibika e-Loan, cash-flow-based underwriting and faster digital origination, we are working to bring first-time and underserved borrowers into the formal financial system. Our digital SME ecosystem, including Bangla QR, Astha, SME Cards and BizPay, is designed to help entrepreneurs not only access finance but also manage and grow their businesses.

Technology will be central to the next chapter of banking. We are investing in advanced digital capabilities, AI, data analytics, cloud-native and API-driven architecture to create faster, safer and more personalised experiences. We see technology not merely as an operational enabler but as a competitive differentiator that can deepen customer relationships and expand financial inclusion.

Sustainability is equally integral to our strategy. Our Sustainable Finance portfolio exceeds USD5 billion and represents around 81% of our total loan portfolio. We have supported more than 133 MW of renewable energy capacity, worked through Bangladesh Bank refinance schemes and partnered with the European Investment Bank. We also pioneered Bangladesh's first USD84 million Social Bond and are preparing to launch our Green Bond.

Financial inclusion remains at the heart of our purpose. Through branches, sub-branches, agent banking outlets and digital channels, we are extending financial services beyond traditional urban centres. Women entrepreneurs, rural businesses and underserved communities are being supported not only through financing but also through initiatives focused on capacity building, networking and market access.

Today, our Funds Under Management have reached Tk1.70 lakh crore, reflecting the trust our customers place in us. Strong corporate governance, transparency, international-standard compliance and disciplined risk management are central to the way we operate.

As banking becomes increasingly digital, protecting customer trust becomes even more important. Our multi-layered cybersecurity framework combines strong authentication, AI-driven threat detection, real-time fraud monitoring, threat intelligence and continuous security oversight. We are also investing in awareness among customers and employees because technology can protect only when people understand the risks.

Bangladesh's banking sector faces challenges, particularly around governance, emerging risks and maintaining customer confidence. Yet I remain optimistic about the country's long-term growth story. Economic expansion, SME formalisation, digital adoption and sustainable finance create significant opportunities.

The banks best positioned for the next phase will be those that combine sound governance with innovation, disciplined execution with ambition, and financial performance with meaningful economic impact.

At BRAC Bank, that is the path we intend to follow. Our goal is not simply to grow a bank. It is to help build the businesses, livelihoods and opportunities that will shape Bangladesh's next chapter.

From SME banking to a diversified engine of growth

For more than two decades, BRAC Bank has built its identity around a simple idea: banking can play a meaningful role in building the real economy. That philosophy has shaped the bank's journey from an institution focused strongly on small and medium enterprises into a diversified financial services organisation serving businesses and individuals across Bangladesh.

Infograph: TBS

SME banking remains at the heart of that story. Over 25 years, BRAC Bank has disbursed more than Tk2 lakh crore to over 20 lakh entrepreneurs, with around 85% of SME loans extended without collateral. Its SME financing has contributed to the creation of more than 1 crore jobs, reflecting the scale of its engagement with entrepreneurs and productive businesses.

The bank's reach now extends well beyond SMEs. Its Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking businesses finance sectors ranging from garments, textiles and pharmaceuticals to manufacturing, infrastructure, shipping, power and agriculture. Trade finance, supply-chain finance and digital lending are becoming increasingly important as businesses seek faster and more flexible access to capital.

At the same time, BRAC Bank is expanding its retail banking franchise and strengthening its presence in agriculture and rural enterprises. This diversified model allows the bank to serve customers across different stages of their financial and business journeys.

Technology has become another defining element of its growth. AI, data analytics, digital onboarding, embedded finance and API-driven platforms are being used to make financial services faster and more accessible.

Sustainability is also increasingly embedded in the bank's business. Its Sustainable Finance portfolio exceeds $5 billion, while its financing has supported more than 133 MW of renewable energy capacity.

The result is a banking model built around more than conventional lending: supporting entrepreneurs, financing industries, expanding financial inclusion and directing capital towards a more sustainable economy. It is a journey that continues to evolve alongside Bangladesh itself.