Village empowerment via agent banking by Modhumoti Bank
Modhumoti Bank, a leading financial institution in Bangladesh, has been making significant strides in enhancing financial inclusion by expanding its Agent Banking initiative. As of June 2025, the bank operates 643 agent outlets across the country, serving 398,795 accounts with deposits totaling over Tk161 crore.
This agent banking network is playing a crucial role in bridging the gap between formal banking infrastructure and remote populations, particularly in rural areas. The initiative supports financial inclusion by bringing banking services closer to marginalized communities who otherwise have limited access to traditional bank branches.
Empowering Villages and Communities
Modhumoti Bank's Agent Banking initiative is not just about numbers. It's about empowering villages and communities. The services offered through the agent outlets include cash deposits and withdrawals, account opening, fund transfers, utility bill payments, government allowance disbursement, loan disbursements, and collections.
In addition to these basic services, Modhumoti Bank has introduced value-added services like telemedicine, health insurance, and digital banking to better serve its customers' needs. These services are designed to make banking more convenient and accessible for customers, particularly those in rural areas.
Focus on Financial Inclusion and Women Empowerment
80% of Modhumoti Bank's Agent Banking customers are women, underscoring the bank's commitment to empowering women and fostering financial independence. The bank's Agent Banking is seen as a movement to empower communities, foster financial literacy, and create equal opportunities for all.
Modhumoti Bank was among the first to introduce account opening through biometric verification linked with the Election Commission database, ensuring secure and efficient services. The bank also collaborates with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to extend services to climate-affected communities, combining financial inclusion with social impact.
Future Plans and Goals
Modhumoti Bank's Agent Banking initiative is just getting started. The bank plans to launch digital loans to further simplify access to credit for rural customers. The bank also aims to expand its agent outlet network to 700 outlets by the end of 2025, further increasing its service accessibility.
The bank's short-term goals include enhancing access to healthcare and government services through its banking platform, as well as launching customised products for Agent Banking clients. These products include specialised savings accounts, government allowance disbursement facilities, digital loans, digital payments, and health and lifestyle services like telemedicine.
Modhumoti Bank launched Agent Banking in February 2016 with a goal to bring secure, affordable, and convenient banking services to the unbanked and rural population of Bangladesh. Since then, the bank has been maintaining close engagement with regulators, participating in industry forums, ensuring compliance, and partnering with stakeholders to build a secure, inclusive, and sustainable Agent Banking ecosystem. The bank's long-term commitment is to reach more unbanked and underserved populations in the years to come.
[1] Source: Modhumoti Bank Limited [5] Source: Modhumoti Bank Limited (Future plans and goals as of June 2025)
The focus of Modhumoti Bank's Agent Banking initiative extends beyond numbers, aiming to empower villages and communities by offering various financial and value-added services. These services include cash transactions, utility bill payments, loan disbursements, and digital services like telemedicine and health insurance, catering particularly to rural customers. [1]
Building on its commitment to women empowerment, 80% of Modhumoti Bank's Agent Banking customers are women, highlighting the bank's efforts to foster financial independence and gender equality. The bank's plans include launching digital loans, increasing the number of agent outlets, and developing customized products for its clients, such as specialized savings accounts, digital loans, and health and lifestyle services. [1, 5]
