Customers rely on banks for large-value transactions and on MFS platforms for smaller payments.
Globally, customers generally do not pay a separate fee for digital payments. Photo: TBS
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Globally, customers generally do not pay a separate fee for digital payments. Photo: TBS
Five banks account for 37% of digital transactions in the banking industry, led by Dutch-Bangla Bank and BRAC Bank. In the mobile financial services (MFS) sector, bKash, Nagad and Rocket dominate, with bKash alone accounting for 67% of transactions.
The findings are from a report by Bangladesh Bank’s Payment Systems Supervision Department.
MFS providers recorded transactions worth Tk6.60 lakh crore in April-June 2026, with the three leading providers handling 99.15% of the total.
Islami Bank Bangladesh, Pubali Bank, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, Eastern Bank, City Bank, United Commercial Bank, Jamuna Bank and Sonali Bank ranked third to tenth, respectively, in digital transactions.
Together, the top 10 banks accounted for 55.21% of digital transactions. Sonali Bank was the only state-owned lender on the list, highlighting scope for expanding digital banking services at government-owned banks, the report said.
Infograph: TBS
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Infograph: TBS
The report found that customers mainly rely on banks for large-value transactions, while MFS platforms are more popular for smaller payments. Banks also remain the preferred channel for both digital and cash transactions.
Digital transactions through MFS platforms grew by 68.69% between the second quarters of 2025 and 2026, indicating a shift towards direct digital payments rather than cash withdrawals.
The top 10 banks accounted for 57.79% of the industry’s combined digital and non-digital transactions. They are Sonali, Pubali, Rupali, Dutch-Bangla, BRAC, Islami Bank Bangladesh, Mercantile, Eastern Bank, Janata and Agrani.
The central bank said customers generally show a stronger preference for state-owned banks for transactions and deposits.
Overall, digital transactions through banks and MFS providers grew by 23.46% between January 2025 and June 2026, the report showed.
Dutch-Bangla Bank recorded digital transactions worth Tk1.68 lakh crore, capturing a 9.50% market share, while BRAC Bank ranked second with Tk1.65 lakh crore, or 9.32% over the same period.
Among MFS providers, bKash handled nearly Tk4.41 lakh crore in transactions, while Nagad recorded Tk1.23 lakh crore.
Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, managing director and chief executive officer of BRAC Bank, said the bank had expanded customers’ access to digital transactions through its Astha app and other digital platforms.
Shamsuddin Haider Dalim, head of corporate communications at bKash, said the company began operations in 2011 under Bangladesh Bank’s regulatory framework to promote financial inclusion among unbanked and underserved people.
Over 15 years, bKash has developed a nationwide digital financial ecosystem through technological innovation and partnerships with banks and financial institutions. It now offers more than 200 products and services to over 8.5 crore verified registered users, reaching seven out of 10 adults in Bangladesh.
The growing convenience of digital payments has also boosted cashless spending across the MFS industry, he added.
Bangla QR transactions
In April-June 2026, bKash, Rocket and BRAC Bank led Bangla QR issuing transactions through the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB).
Together, they accounted for 82.70% of the total transaction value, while the top 10 institutions held a combined 95.79% share.
Bangladesh Bank attributed its leading position to its large customer base.
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