NCC Bank aims to increase the share of cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise (CMSME) financing in its loan portfolio to 30 per cent from about 24 per cent, its Head of SME Sharif Mohammad Mahsin told TIMES of Bangladesh in an interview.
The bank is expanding support for small entrepreneurs through financing, training and strategic partnerships.
Mahsin said Bangladesh’s long-term economic growth would depend on building more resilient, innovative and sustainable MSMEs by improving access to finance, encouraging entrepreneurship and strengthening institutional support.
He said the CMSME sector’s contribution to gross domestic product remains relatively low compared to its employment share, despite its growing role in export diversification.
“Women and young entrepreneurs are also driving business creation and strengthening local economies,” he added.
Despite its growing economic importance, the sector continues to face barriers, including limited access to formal finance, inadequate business development support, technology gaps, restricted market access and capacity constraints.
Addressing these challenges, he said, would require coordinated efforts by policymakers, regulators, financial institutions and development partners.
Mahsin said Bangladesh Bank’s refinance, pre-finance and credit guarantee schemes have strengthened the financing ecosystem and encouraged banks to expand lending to CMSMEs.
Against that backdrop, NCC Bank has made the segment a strategic priority. Alongside targeting a 30 per cent portfolio share, the bank has established a dedicated SME business team supported by its nationwide branch network and alternative distribution channels.
The bank now offers eight specialised SME loan products covering working capital, term finance, supply chain finance, women entrepreneur financing, startup support, trade finance and sector-specific lending.
It also provides collateral-free and collateral-backed facilities alongside two dedicated SME deposit products.
Mahsin said competitive pricing, simplified documentation and faster approval processes have enabled entrepreneurs to access finance more efficiently while strengthening the bank’s relationship with customers across Bangladesh.
Beyond lending, NCC Bank has expanded its focus on entrepreneurship development through regular Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training to improve financial literacy, business management and entrepreneurial skills.
Mahsin said NCC Bank has emerged as one of the highest disbursing banks under EDP-linked financing programmes, translating policy support into financing for entrepreneurs.
The bank has also strengthened its SME ecosystem through partnerships with SME Foundation and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, expanding financing opportunities for underserved and emerging entrepreneurs who often lack conventional collateral.
Participation in Bangladesh Bank’s refinance and pre-finance schemes has further widened financial inclusion.
Prudent risk management and close customer engagement, he said, have enabled NCC Bank to maintain comparatively low non-performing loans in its CMSME portfolio, demonstrating that responsible financing and effective monitoring can support both business growth and asset quality.
To mark International MSME Day, NCC Bank has undertaken open credit disbursement programmes and awareness campaigns aimed at making finance more accessible, affordable and convenient for entrepreneurs across the country.
“Bangladesh’s transition towards a more inclusive, resilient and innovation-driven economy would depend heavily on the success of its MSMEs,” he said.
NCC Bank would continue supporting entrepreneurs through finance, capacity building and sustainable business development, Sharif Mohammad Mahsin added.
