DBBL–Karmasangsthan Bank Sign Digital Payment Deal

Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC (DBBL) and Karmasangsthan Bank have signed a strategic agreement aimed at expanding digital financial inclusion and streamlining loan repayment and savings collection processes across Bangladesh.

The initiative is designed to allow borrowers to make instalment payments and deposit savings through modern banking channels, significantly reducing reliance on traditional cash-based transactions and improving access for rural and semi-urban customers.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, bringing together senior officials from both institutions. The collaboration is expected to support Bangladesh’s broader efforts to digitise the financial sector and enhance accessibility for underserved communities.

Signing ceremony and key participants

On behalf of Karmasangsthan Bank, the agreement was signed by General Manager Md Shafiqul Islam Miah, while Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC was represented by Abdullah Al Masud, Head of Branch Operations and Liabilities Division.

The event was attended by senior executives from both organisations. Karmasangsthan Bank was represented by its Chairman Dr AFM Matiur Rahman and Managing Director Arun Kumar Chowdhury, along with other officials. From DBBL, Managing Director and CEO Md Ehsanul Haque Khan and senior executives were also present.

Officials from both sides described the partnership as a significant step towards improving operational efficiency and reducing the logistical burden on borrowers who previously had limited access to convenient payment systems.

Expanded digital and physical access

Under the agreement, Karmasangsthan Bank customers will be able to repay loans and deposit savings through DBBL’s extensive banking network, which includes branches, sub-branches, agent banking outlets, and mobile financial services.

The integration connects Karmasangsthan Bank’s 289 branches with DBBL’s nationwide infrastructure, significantly expanding service accessibility.

Service network overview

Through this network, approximately 230,000 borrowers will gain access to a nationwide payment ecosystem, allowing them to transact through bank branches, agent banking points, and the widely used “Rocket” mobile financial service platform.

Boost to financial inclusion

Bank officials emphasised that the agreement will significantly reduce geographical barriers for borrowers, particularly those in rural and remote areas where access to formal banking services remains limited. The use of agent banking and mobile financial platforms is expected to eliminate the need for long-distance travel to bank branches for routine financial transactions.

The initiative also aligns with Bangladesh’s ongoing transition towards a more cashless economy, promoting transparency, faster transaction processing, and improved efficiency in the banking system.

Industry outlook

Financial sector stakeholders have welcomed the collaboration as a practical step towards modernising state-linked lending operations. By combining traditional banking structures with digital platforms, the partnership is expected to improve repayment discipline, enhance customer convenience, and strengthen overall financial inclusion.

As digital banking infrastructure continues to expand across Bangladesh, similar partnerships between financial institutions are likely to play an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between formal banking services and underserved communities, particularly in rural areas.