Modhumoti Bank sets its sights on quality growth 

Bangladesh's banking industry is entering a period of significant change. Pressure on asset quality, the need for stronger governance, the expansion of digital payments and rising customer expectations are reshaping how banks must operate. For Modhumoti Bank, the next phase is about building a stronger, more resilient institution while remaining closely connected to the changing needs of our customers.

Our strategic priorities over the next five years are therefore centred on sustainable growth rather than growth for its own sake. We want to expand low-cost deposits and CASA, strengthen our CMSME and Retail Banking businesses, grow remittance and trade, improve asset quality and reduce non-performing loans. At the same time, we are investing in digital transformation, operational efficiency, governance, compliance and risk management.

Our ambition is straightforward: to become a profitable, well-governed, digitally enabled, customer-centric and resilient commercial bank with a diversified portfolio and a strong liability franchise. Financial inclusion, Islami Shariah-based banking and bancassurance will also form part of this broader journey.

"Technology will be one of the most important pillars of our future growth. Platforms such as Go Smart, Corporate Internet Banking and Modhumoti Bondhon, alongside our agent banking network, are helping create the foundation for a more accessible and efficient banking experience."

I believe one of our key strengths is the ability to combine personalised customer service with technology-driven banking. We do not want to follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses have different financial needs, and our role is to understand those needs and provide appropriate solutions.

This approach is particularly important as we expand our focus on Retail and CMSME Banking. We see CMSMEs as a major engine of employment and economic activity. Our products, including Modhumoti Goti, Agrogoti and Progoti, have been designed to address different financing requirements, while Modhumoti Labonnyo specifically supports women entrepreneurs. Going forward, we want to make CMSME financing faster, more accessible and more customer-friendly while maintaining strong credit discipline.

Retail Banking is another area where we see considerable potential. Consumer finance, home loans, personal loans and vehicle finance can help individuals meet important financial needs when supported by appropriate risk assessment and responsible lending. We are gradually looking to increase the contribution of Retail and CMSME Banking while maintaining a strong presence in Corporate Banking.

Diversification is important because sustainable banking requires a balanced portfolio. Corporate Banking provides scale and supports large businesses, while CMSME and Retail Banking allow us to serve a broader customer base and develop recurring relationships. Agricultural and inclusive banking will continue to support our financial-inclusion objectives.

Infographics: TBS

Technology will be one of the most important pillars of our future growth. Platforms such as Go Smart, Corporate Internet Banking and Modhumoti Bondhon, alongside our agent banking network, are helping create the foundation for a more accessible and efficient banking experience.

For us, digital transformation is not simply about introducing new technology. It is about making banking faster, simpler and more convenient for customers. Technology can help us acquire customers digitally, simplify account opening and loan processing, improve engagement, reduce operating costs and strengthen risk controls.

At the same time, growth must remain responsible. Sustainable and green finance, environmental and social considerations and stronger ESG-related risk assessment are becoming increasingly important. We want growth across Retail, CMSME and other business segments to contribute to economic development, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Financial inclusion remains another important part of our strategy. Through our Agent Banking network, customers in rural and underserved areas can access services such as account opening, deposits, withdrawals, fund transfers, FD and DPS facilities and bill payments without having to visit a traditional branch. Technology will further expand these possibilities through digital onboarding and transactions.

As banking becomes increasingly digital, security must advance alongside convenience. We are strengthening technology controls, transaction monitoring, authentication, internal controls and customer awareness. Our approach is based on prevention, early detection and rapid response, while recognising that customers themselves also have an important role in protecting their accounts and information.

The opportunities in Bangladesh's banking sector remain substantial, particularly in Retail, CMSME, digital banking, financial inclusion and sustainable finance. But these opportunities come with challenges around asset quality, governance, liquidity, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and customer confidence.

The banks that succeed in the years ahead will, in my view, be those that can combine technology with personalised service, strong governance with innovation, and growth with discipline. That is the direction we are pursuing at Modhumoti Bank. Our goal is not simply to grow bigger, but to grow stronger, more trusted and more relevant to the people and businesses we serve.

Modhumoti Bank Builds Its Growth Around the Businesses Driving Bangladesh

For a bank, growth is ultimately tied to understanding where the economy is heading. At Modhumoti Bank, that means looking beyond traditional corporate lending and building a more diversified portfolio around entrepreneurs, consumers and businesses across Bangladesh.

CMSME and Retail Banking are emerging as two of the bank's major growth areas. The focus reflects the growing importance of small and medium businesses in generating employment and economic activity, as well as rising demand for convenient financial services among individual customers. Modhumoti Bank has developed products such as Modhumoti Goti, Agrogoti and Progoti to address different CMSME financing needs, alongside Modhumoti Labonnyo for women entrepreneurs.
The bank continues to maintain a presence across corporate, RMG, textile, agriculture, manufacturing, trading and service sectors. Corporate Banking remains important for supporting large businesses, while the growing emphasis on CMSME and Retail is helping broaden the bank's customer base and diversify its portfolio.

Technology is becoming a key part of that expansion. Digital banking platforms, agent banking and technology-enabled services are being used to make banking more accessible while improving efficiency and customer experience.

The wider strategy also includes financial inclusion and sustainable finance, with the bank seeking to reach underserved communities through its agent banking network and support environmentally responsible and inclusive economic activities.

The result is a growth strategy built around diversification: supporting large businesses while expanding access to finance for smaller enterprises, entrepreneurs and individual customers. It is a model that seeks to align the bank's own growth with the broader needs of a changing Bangladesh.