Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank Plans Up to Tk 10,000 Digital Credit

06 September 2026 19:09 PM

NEWS DESK

Bangladesh Bank is set to introduce a new short-term digital credit facility, allowing eligible customers to borrow up to Tk 10,000 to meet essential expenses.

The facility, called “e-Payment Credit,” is aimed at addressing temporary cash shortages while encouraging wider use of digital payments. Eligible customers will be able to borrow between Tk 50 and Tk 10,000, but the funds can only be used for approved digital payments.

The credit can cover utility bills such as electricity and gas, mobile recharges, education and medical expenses, travel costs, taxes and government service fees, loan or deposit instalments, and insurance premiums.

Initially, participating banks will operate the facility on a six-month pilot basis. Following a review of the pilot, banks may launch the service commercially with approval from their boards.

The loan amount cannot be withdrawn as cash or transferred to a bank account or mobile financial services wallet. Instead, the approved amount must be paid directly to the relevant biller or service provider through designated digital payment channels.

Customers will have repayment periods of 7, 15 or 30 days, with banks charging a service fee instead of interest. For loans of Tk 50–250, the maximum fee will range from Tk 3 to Tk 6, while loans of Tk 7,001–10,000 may carry fees of up to Tk 35, Tk 70 or Tk 130 for 7, 15 or 30 days respectively.

Customers who repay on time will face no additional interest or early repayment charges. However, late repayments may attract a penalty subject to Bangladesh Bank’s prescribed limits.

Banks will be required to complete customer registration, credit approval, payment and repayment digitally, using security measures such as OTP and multi-factor authentication. They may also partner with mobile financial service providers, payment service providers and fintech firms.

Bangladesh Bank expects the initiative to expand digital payment adoption while giving customers easier access to small, short-term credit for essential expenses.

Digital Credit e-Payment