For decades, banking in Bangladesh meant cities – paved roads, tall buildings and glass-fronted branches. For people in remote forests, riverine chars, hilly areas and coastal belts, visiting a bank was often difficult. That is changing, a press release said.
Today, formal banking is reaching some of the country’s most isolated communities. From villages near forest belts and islands formed by river erosion, to hilly districts and cyclone-prone coasts, people can now access basic banking services close to home. In many places, a small Agent Banking Outlet on a village road, run by a trusted local agent of the bank, handles deposits, withdrawals and other transactions. BRAC Bank’s Agent Banking Channel has been central to this change.
Why Agent Banking matters Bangladesh’s varied geography creates real barriers to branch banking. River erosion, dense forests, isolated islands and steep terrain make building and running conventional branches costly and difficult. As a result, millions remained outside the formal banking system for years.
Agent Banking offers a practical way to bridge that gap. Instead of travelling long distances to a branch, customers meet a local agent who delivers services in their community. This reduces travel time and costs and shifts people away from informal, often risky financial methods.
A growing channel BRAC Bank now operates 1,120 agent banking outlets across these out-of-reach terrains – forest, char, hill and coastal areas. Through these outlets, customers can open savings and current accounts, use deposit schemes, receive remittances, take small business loans, collect government social payments, and conduct digital transactions. This expansion marks a clear move from a city-centred banking model to a more inclusive system.
Real impact on communities Near the Sundarbans – in Shyamnagar, Paikgacha, Dakop, Fakirhat and Koyra – 17 outlets serve as key financial points for residents. In char and coastal areas such as Char Fasson, Teknaf, Kutubdia, Hatia, Subarnachar, Mongla and Kalapara, 76 outlets now provide services where there were few before. In hill areas such as Ramgarh, Panchhari, Manikchhari, Matiranga, Langadu, and Dighinala, 11 outlets offer regular banking services.
These outlets have increased financial activity, boosted local trade, reduced cash dependence, and improved transparency. More than 60,000 people in these regions have opened bank accounts, many for the first time. Deposits from these areas have passed BDT 200 crore, and over BDT 65 crore has been disbursed in loans to support small businesses and livelihoods.
Beyond basic transactions Agent Banking is also driving wider social and economic change. Women’s participation in formal financial system is rising. Small entrepreneurs are emerging. Agricultural investment is growing, and government safety-net payments are reaching beneficiaries faster. A savings culture is beginning to take root in communities that once lacked formal financial tools.
Local agents play a vital role. They educate customers about products, help them manage money, and build trust in the formal system.
The role of digital technology Digital tools strengthen the Agent Banking model. Biometric verification, real-time processing and links to core banking systems let customers use reliable services similar to those at urban branches. This digital backbone supports Bangladesh’s wider push to expand financial inclusion and reduce cash dependence.
Toward a more inclusive future As banking reaches river islands, forests, hill districts and coastal communities, the gap between banks and individuals narrows. Agent Banking shows that inclusion does not always require large infrastructure or buildings. A small outlet run by a trusted local entrepreneur can turn financial exclusion into opportunity.
With BRAC Bank expanding Agent Banking services, even the most remote communities in Bangladesh are becoming part of the financial ecosystem.
