Prime Bank expands its role in a growing economy

For nearly three decades, Prime Bank has grown alongside Bangladesh's changing economy. As the country's businesses, consumers and communities evolve, so too must the role of a financial institution. For us, the next phase of growth is not simply about becoming larger. It is about becoming more trusted, more technology-driven and more sustainable, while creating lasting value for our customers, shareholders and the economy.

Our vision for the next five years is therefore clear: to position Prime Bank as Bangladesh's most trusted, technology-driven and sustainable financial institution.

Technology will be central to that journey. Artificial intelligence, data analytics, automation and secure digital banking are reshaping the way financial services are delivered, and we intend to remain at the forefront of that transformation. Platforms such as MyPrime, Prime Now, Prime Banijjo and PrimePay are already changing how customers and businesses interact with their bank. Prime Banijjo, in particular, reflects our ambition to use technology to solve real business problems, as Bangladesh's first AI-powered LC management platform.

But technology, on its own, does not build trust. Trust comes from consistency, resilience and understanding customers. Today, more than 1.3 million customers place their confidence in Prime Bank. That relationship, built over almost three decades, remains one of our greatest strengths.

Infograph: TBS

Our approach has always been grounded in prudent banking. Strong governance, disciplined risk management and asset quality remain fundamental to our growth strategy. In 2025, Prime Bank recorded a net profit of BDT 910 crore, with total assets of approximately BDT 65,098 crore and a CRAR of 18.07%. These figures reflect not only our financial resilience, but also the importance we place on maintaining a strong foundation as we pursue new opportunities.

Those opportunities are spread across the economy. Our lending priorities include RMG and textiles, infrastructure and construction, public sector projects, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, microfinance institutions and SMEs. These are not chosen simply because they represent commercial opportunities. They are sectors that create employment, support exports, strengthen food security and contribute directly to economic growth.

SMEs, in particular, remain central to our vision. Bangladesh's small and medium-sized businesses are critical engines of employment and entrepreneurship, yet many continue to face challenges in accessing appropriate financing. Prime Bank currently serves more than 68,000+ CMSME customers, with an SME loan portfolio of almost BDT 3,000 crore and more than 8,300 active borrowers. Our role is to go beyond providing credit by offering working capital, term loans, trade finance, supply chain financing and digital banking solutions suited to the needs of growing businesses.

We also believe that growth must be inclusive. Our financial inclusion initiatives are designed to bring formal banking closer to communities that have historically had less access to financial services. We have 201 Agent Banking outlets, nearly 70% of which are located in rural areas. Through Neera Women Banking, we support women entrepreneurs, while PrimeAcademia Student Banking promotes financial literacy among young people. We have also introduced Braille account-opening forms and banking information books for visually impaired customers.

Sustainability is another important part of this growth story. ESG considerations are embedded in our business strategy and credit decisions, with particular attention to renewable energy, green infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and energy-efficient technologies. In 2025, we disbursed more than BDT 8.1 billion in green finance, representing around 27% of total term loan disbursement.

As banking becomes increasingly digital, protecting customer trust becomes equally important. We continue to strengthen cybersecurity through multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, AI-driven fraud detection and real-time transaction monitoring. Technology must make banking more convenient, but it must also make it safer.

Ultimately, I believe the future of banking in Bangladesh will be defined by how effectively we combine innovation with responsibility. At Prime Bank, our ambition is not technology for technology's sake, nor growth for growth's sake. It is about using our financial strength, digital capabilities and understanding of the economy to support businesses, communities and individuals as Bangladesh enters its next chapter.

That is the kind of institution we are building: one where trust remains the foundation, technology becomes an enabler, sustainability shapes decisions and financial growth creates value far beyond the balance sheet.

How Prime Bank is financing the engines of growth

Economic growth is rarely driven by one sector alone. It takes factories, farms, infrastructure, businesses and entrepreneurs moving forward at the same time. For a bank, that makes the question of where to put capital an important one. At Prime Bank, the focus has been on financing sectors that can contribute to jobs, exports, investment and wider economic activity.

RMG and textiles remain an important part of that picture, alongside infrastructure and construction, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, power and energy, public sector projects, microfinance institutions and SMEs. These sectors play different roles in the economy, but together they form much of the productive base that Bangladesh depends on for continued growth. Prime Bank's lending strategy is therefore designed around both commercial opportunity and the broader development needs of the country.

Small and medium-sized businesses have a particularly important place in this approach. For many entrepreneurs, access to the right kind of finance can determine whether a business can take its next step. Prime Bank currently serves more than 68,000+ CMSME customers, with an SME loan portfolio of almost BDT 3,000 crore and more than 8,300 active borrowers. Its financing includes working capital and term loans, as well as trade finance, supply-chain financing and digital banking services.

The bank's support for larger businesses also goes beyond conventional lending. Trade finance, supply-chain financing and digital cash-management solutions are aimed at helping companies manage their operations more efficiently as they expand. This allows the bank to play a role not only in financing individual projects, but also in supporting the wider business activity surrounding them.

Agriculture is another important area, particularly given its contribution to food security and rural economic activity. At the same time, Prime Bank has been widening access to formal financial services through agent banking and dedicated programmes for women entrepreneurs and other underserved groups. Of its 201 Agent Banking outlets, nearly 70% are located in rural areas.

Taken together, these areas show a broader approach to banking. The aim is not simply to increase the volume of lending, but to support productive activity across different parts of the economy. From a small entrepreneur looking for working capital to an industrial business expanding its capacity, the bank is seeking to remain connected to the different stages of economic growth.

That is ultimately where Prime Bank sees its role — not just as a source of finance, but as a long-term partner to the businesses and sectors helping shape Bangladesh's economy.