Making banking simpler and more convenient with EBL Skybanking
With more people choosing apps over branches, EBL Skybanking has emerged as a dependable partner in helping customers manage their financial lives with confidence and ease.
Over the past decade, I have witnessed one of the most significant shifts in Bangladesh's banking ecosystem: the rise of mobile applications as the primary gateway to financial services. What began as a supplementary channel has now evolved into the core of how customers engage with their banks. Today's users expect instant access, seamless transactions, and zero disruption—and mobile banking has made this level of convenience possible.
There was a time when most banking activities demanded a physical visit. Whether you wanted to transfer funds, encash a fixed deposit, pay a bill, or activate a card feature, the branch was your only option. Now, with just a few taps, customers can manage their entire financial lives through their smartphones. This transition has not only reduced dependency on cash, but also strengthened confidence in digital platforms and accelerated Bangladesh's transformation into a modern, technology-led financial landscape.
How our mobile app changed customer behaviour
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In this transformation, the EBL Skybanking app has played a defining role. From the beginning, our goal was simple: build a platform that genuinely empowers customers. Today, the app brings core financial services under one intuitive, reliable, and secure interface—allowing users to access their accounts and cards, transfer money, pay utility bills, recharge mobiles, and much more without needing a branch.
But convenience alone isn't enough; the backbone of successful digital banking is trust. That is why Skybanking incorporates multi-layered security features such as biometric login, two-factor authentication, dynamic OTP, and real-time transaction monitoring. We also invested heavily in innovative services that set us apart. Features such as virtual prepaid cards (for any valid mobile number and NID holder), instant self-services like currency conversion for credit and prepaid cards, dynamic foreign-part enable/disable options, and downloadable certificates and statements have dramatically reduced in-person banking needs.
These capabilities have reshaped customer behaviour. Today, nearly half a million people use Skybanking, with a Bank-to-App conversion rate close to 50%—among the highest in Bangladesh's banking sector. This shift reflects more than adoption; it represents a mindset change. Customers are no longer "trying out" digital banking—they are relying on it as their primary mode of financial interaction.
I believe mobile banking is one of the strongest catalysts in Bangladesh's journey toward a cashless society. Every digital payment, every QR transaction, every online fund transfer chips away at our dependence on cash.
The growth of contactless payments, QR-enabled merchant transactions, online utility payments, and person-to-person transfers is not only driving convenience but also improving transparency and reducing inefficiencies. These digital trails contribute to a healthier, more accountable financial environment—beneficial both for individuals and for the broader economy.
Equally important is financial inclusion. Mobile platforms have bridged a longstanding gap between urban and rural populations, enabling more people to engage with the formal financial system. Services like bKash and Nagad made digital money familiar; banking apps like Skybanking are now elevating that familiarity into full-fledged financial control. As digital adoption increases across every socioeconomic group, Bangladesh moves closer to a resilient and integrated cashless economy.
Lowering costs for customers and banks
One of the most transformative outcomes of mobile banking is the dramatic cost efficiency it creates—for both banks and customers.
For banks, every digital transaction reduces pressure on branches, counters, and back-office operations. Processes that once required manual handling—cash deposits, statement printouts, card service requests—are increasingly automated. This allows us to redirect resources toward product innovation, risk management, and customer experience rather than routine transactional tasks.
Customers benefit equally. They save time, effort, and transportation costs. Services that used to come with fees or long waiting periods are now accessible instantly, often free of charge. In many ways, a mobile app functions as a personal bank branch in your pocket—open 24/7, without queues or limitations.
Security challenges
Of course, the rapid rise of mobile banking introduces equally rapid security challenges. Fraudsters are more sophisticated than ever, deploying phishing attempts, social engineering, malware attacks, and SIM-swap schemes to target unsuspecting users. As transaction volumes grow, so does the responsibility of banks to stay ahead of evolving threats.
At EBL, we have strengthened our security framework with multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, advanced fraud detection engines, and dark-web monitoring. These systems are designed to prevent unauthorized access and flag suspicious activity in real time.
Yet, technology can only go so far. Most digital fraud incidents stem from human vulnerabilities—sharing OTPs, clicking suspicious links, or trusting unknown callers. This is why customer awareness remains a cornerstone of our security strategy. Protecting passwords, being mindful of phishing attempts, and keeping devices updated are essential habits for safe digital banking.
To scale digital adoption further, regulatory support is crucial. Stronger interoperability between banks, mobile financial service providers, and payment systems will make cross-platform transactions seamless. When customers can move money effortlessly, usage increases naturally.
Clear and rational transaction charges will also encourage people to choose digital payments over cash. At the same time, regulators must continue to uphold robust data privacy standards and ensure consumer protection as innovation accelerates.
With a supportive regulatory environment that fosters interoperability, transparency, and innovation, Bangladesh's banking sector can dramatically expand digital transaction volumes and bring the nation closer to a truly cashless future.
