BRAC Bank has reinforced its leadership in sustainability, earning two prestigious recognitions both locally and globally.
The bank secured the top spot among all Bangladeshi listed firms in Bloomberg’s latest ESG Rating for 2024. Additionally, Bangladesh Bank has named BRAC Bank one of the country’s top sustainable banks for the fifth consecutive year, according to a press release.
In Bloomberg’s ESG Rating 2024, BRAC Bank scored an overall 3.8, with individual scores of 1.76 for Environmental, 5.83 for Social, and 3.07 for Governance, according to a BRAC Bank statement. This achievement placed the bank ahead of IDLC Finance (3.51) and City Bank (2.64), even outperforming multinational companies in Bangladesh.
This marks the third consecutive year BRAC Bank has been ranked among Bloomberg’s top ten organizations for ESG performance. The bank’s transparency is highlighted in the Sustainability and Impact Report 2024, IFRS S1 & S2 Report 2024, and Annual Report 2024, which detail carbon emissions and governance benchmarks.
BRAC Bank leads the market in sustainable financing, with Tk 50,215 crore in sustainable finance outstanding as of December 2024, making up 82 percent of its total asset portfolio. Bangladesh Bank has also awarded BRAC Bank an “Excellent” rating, recognizing it as one of the top sustainable banks in the country.
The central bank’s assessment is based on five key criteria: Sustainable Finance Index, CSR activities, Green Refinance, Core Banking Sustainability Index, and Banking Services Coverage.
BRAC Bank stands out as the first Bangladeshi bank to publicly disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions under the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) framework and the first to publish independent IFRS S1 and S2 reports in line with International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards. The bank is also preparing to issue a Tk 1,000 crore Social Bond, adhering to the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Principles.
To support sustainable financing, BRAC Bank has set up 50 Sustainable Finance Helpdesks across the country to offer green credit solutions and refinancing. Its CSR initiatives have positively impacted 50,000 individuals through health programs, 46,000 through climate-resilient agriculture projects, and provided higher education scholarships to 700 underprivileged women in 2024.
Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director & CEO (Current Charge) of BRAC Bank, said, “Sustainability is not a choice—it is the foundation of long-term resilience, growth, and relevance.”
“These recognitions affirm our commitment to responsible banking, transparency, and impact,” he added.
“At BRAC Bank, we believe that ESG is not just about protecting the planet or uplifting communities; it is also about building a future-ready institution that investors, regulators, coworkers, and customers can trust.”
“We remain committed to scaling up green and inclusive financing to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s sustainable development goals,” Khan concluded.