Banking access in Bangladesh is undergoing a structural shift as BRAC Bank extends its agent banking network into some of the country’s most remote regions, moving beyond the traditional urban-centric model.
For decades, formal banking remained concentrated in cities, limiting access for populations in forest belts, riverine chars, hilly terrain and cyclone-prone coastal areas. Physical distance, poor infrastructure and geographic barriers kept millions outside the formal financial system. That gap is now narrowing as agent banking outlets bring services closer to underserved communities.
BRAC Bank’s Agent Banking Channel has emerged as a key driver of this transition. The bank operates 1,120 outlets across forest, char, hill and coastal regions, enabling customers to access essential financial services within their localities. These outlets allow users to open savings and current accounts, participate in deposit schemes, receive remittances, access small business loans, collect government social payments and carry out digital transactions.
The model addresses structural constraints that have long hindered branch expansion. River erosion, dense forests, isolated islands and steep terrain make traditional banking infrastructure costly and difficult to sustain. Agent banking offers a lower-cost alternative by leveraging local entrepreneurs to deliver services, reducing travel time and costs for customers while shifting reliance away from informal financial practices.
The expansion is beginning to reshape local economies. In areas near the Sundarbans — including Shyamnagar, Paikgacha, Dakop, Fakirhat and Koyra — 17 outlets now serve as financial access points. In coastal and char regions such as Char Fasson, Teknaf, Kutubdia, Hatia, Subarnachar, Mongla and Kalapara, 76 outlets are operational. Hill districts including Ramgarh, Panchhari, Manikchhari, Matiranga, Langadu and Dighinala host 11 outlets providing regular banking services.
More than 60,000 people in these areas have opened bank accounts, many for the first time. Deposits have exceeded Tk 200 crore, while over Tk 65 crore in loans has been disbursed to support small businesses and livelihoods. Increased financial activity has contributed to higher local trade, reduced reliance on cash transactions and improved transparency.
Beyond basic banking, the initiative is contributing to broader socio-economic changes. Participation of women in the formal financial system is rising, small-scale entrepreneurship is expanding and agricultural investment is increasing. Government safety-net payments are reaching beneficiaries more efficiently, while a savings culture is beginning to develop in communities previously excluded from formal finance.
Local agents play a central role in this ecosystem, acting as intermediaries who build trust, guide customers through financial products and support day-to-day transactions. Their presence helps bridge the gap between formal banking institutions and rural populations.
Technology underpins the model’s scalability. Biometric verification, real-time transaction processing and integration with core banking systems allow agent outlets to deliver services comparable to those available in urban branches. This digital infrastructure aligns with Bangladesh’s broader push to deepen financial inclusion and reduce dependence on cash.
As the network expands across geographically isolated regions, agent banking is demonstrating that financial inclusion can be achieved without heavy physical infrastructure. By combining local presence with digital capability, BRAC Bank is integrating remote communities into the formal financial system, signalling a shift towards a more inclusive banking landscape.
