Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC held a discussion meeting and courtyard gathering in Chattogram on June 21 with agent outlet owners, branch managers, outlet managers and customers to strengthen agent banking operations and accelerate financial inclusion through digital banking services.
The day-long programme brought together owners of 21 agent outlets, managers of 14 link branches, outlet managers and selected customers from the bank’s Chattogram Central and Chattogram Outskirt regions. Md Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, Deputy Managing Director and Head of the Bank’s Agent Banking and Digital Banking Wing, attended as chief guest, the bank said in a press release.
The event focused on operational challenges facing agent banking outlets, potential solutions, deposit mobilisation strategies and ways to expand access to modern banking services through the bank’s digital platforms.
Participants discussed the use of Digital Dan Box, Bangla QR, Islamic Wallet, i-Banking and other services introduced by the bank’s Digital Banking Division as part of efforts to promote cashless transactions and improve customer convenience.
Hafez Mohammad Salamat Ullah, Head of Chattogram Central Region, and AFM Faisal Kabir, Head of Chattogram Outskirt Region, attended the programme as special guests. The meeting was presided over by Mohammad Momtazul Haque, Head of the Agent Banking Department.
Speaking at the event, Aminul Islam Bhuiyan said agent banking had created significant opportunities to bring underserved and unbanked rural populations into the formal financial system.
He said Al-Arafah Islami Bank was working to make banking services easier, safer and more efficient through its digital banking initiatives. He also urged agents, branch managers and outlet managers to work in a coordinated manner to increase deposits, improve customer service and strengthen financial inclusion activities.
The programme also included awareness sessions for customers on secure banking practices. Participants were advised to use biometric fingerprint authentication at agent outlets, collect auto-generated transaction receipts and verify transactions through SMS notifications.
Customers were further encouraged to adopt cashless banking services through Bangla QR, Digital Dan Box, Islamic Wallet and i-Banking platforms.
According to the bank, the discussions formed part of its broader efforts to expand access to Shariah-compliant banking services and support Bangladesh Bank’s financial inclusion agenda.
At the conclusion of the event, participants expressed their commitment to strengthening agent banking operations through greater cooperation and coordination among stakeholders. They also pledged to help expand modern banking services at the grassroots level and support the implementation of regulatory directives.
The courtyard session concluded with a Munajat.
