Bangladesh’s push toward a cashless future gained fresh momentum as Mastercard recognised 18 organisations with 33 awards at the Mastercard Excellence Awards 2025 in Dhaka under the theme Inspired by Future, according to a press release.
Industry-wide collaboration is accelerating digital payments as the event brought together banks, fintech firms, diplomats and merchants, said the release.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur presided over the ceremony in the capital on Saturday, with Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury attending as special guest, while Mastercard President South Asia Gautam Aggarwal joined the programme alongside Country Manager Syed Mohammad Kamal and directors Zakia Sultana and Sohail Alim.
The winners reflected broad progress across the financial sector as Mercantile Bank became the newest member of the Mastercard network, said the release.
The City Bank received awards for digital innovation, domestic debit performance and online acquiring as SSLCommerz and Al Arafah Islami Bank were recognised for online business.
Islami Bank Bangladesh, Prime Bank, United Commercial Bank and AB Bank earned honours in domestic and cross-border debit categories.
Brac Bank and Mutual Trust Bank secured domestic credit awards, while Brac Bank and Eastern Bank were recognised for cross-border credit.
Mutual Trust Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank received domestic prepaid honours, and Islami Bank Bangladesh was acknowledged for cross-border prepaid.
Eastern Bank and United Commercial Bank earned POS acquiring awards, while Southeast Bank and The City Bank were recognised in online acquiring.
Brac Bank and Mutual Trust Bank were honoured in the affluent segment, and Pubali Bank received the location-based acquiring award.
Dhaka Bank was recognised for co-brand partnerships and financial inclusion as Mutual Trust Bank, Patho Pay and Eastern Bank received innovation honours.
ACI Logistics earned recognition for innovation in acceptance, bKash for digital business and United Commercial Bank for issuing growth in 2024–25, said the release.
“Exciting times lie ahead in Bangladesh’s digital transformation journey,” said Mastercard South Asia President Gautam Aggarwal, adding that innovation and strong partnerships are steering the shift toward wider inclusion.
He said Mastercard is aligning global expertise with local needs to support a resilient digital future.
Mastercard said the awards reflect its broader effort to strengthen the financial ecosystem through technology, collaboration and foresight as Bangladesh accelerates its digital transition.
