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Published : 10 May 2026, 09:19 PM
BRAC Bank’s digital onboarding platform has expanded access to small and medium enterprise (SME) banking, enabling faster account opening and reducing paperwork.
Since its pilot launch in 2025, more than 50,000 SME accounts have been opened digitally through the platform, the bank said in a statement.
The system allows entrepreneurs to open SME accounts within minutes, replacing a process that earlier required multiple branch visits and several days to complete, it added.
According to the statement, the digital process complies with Bangladesh Bank regulations and uses secure digital infrastructure to improve service speed and customer experience.
Syed Abu Rassel, founder of Artistic Studio and Construction, said he was able to activate his account quickly through the Astha app.
Syed Abdul Momen, additional managing director and head of SME banking at BRAC Bank, said the initiative was introduced to simplify banking services for entrepreneurs.
He added that account numbers are now issued almost instantly, while the remaining formalities are completed within three working days, significantly faster than conventional processes.
The reduced paperwork contributes to environmental sustainability, he added.
BRAC Bank currently serves around 250,000 SME customers.
Its SME loan portfolio exceeded Tk 350 billion by the end of 2025, recording nearly 48 percent year-on-year growth, according to the statement.
Its non-performing loan ratio in the SME segment remained around 2 percent, while SME deposits rose to nearly Tk 190 billion, reflecting about 22 percent growth over the same period.
Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank, said supporting SMEs has remained a priority for the bank since its inception.
The bank aims to bring another 100,000 SME entrepreneurs into the formal banking system through the platform as part of efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and support Bangladesh’s digital economy, the statement read.
