Bank Asia

What Bank Asia does

Bank Asia PLC is a Dhaka-headquartered, publicly listed (Dhaka Stock Exchange ticker BANKASIA) third-generation Bangladeshi commercial bank incorporated in 1999. It serves 8.8 million+ customers across retail, SME, corporate, Islamic, agriculture, agent banking, and freelancer/RMG worker segments through an integrated distribution network of 135+ branches, 5,059+ agent banking outlets, 213+ own ATMs, 8,523+ shared ATMs, 1,500+ NGO partner touchpoints, and 8,500+ digital post office locations — a footprint that combines urban branch presence with last-mile rural coverage. The bank pioneered agent banking in Bangladesh in 2013 and has built category-first products including the Shadhin freelancer card (2019), Voice Banking AI telephony service (2021), and RMG Digital Banking Booth for garment worker salary disbursement. Revenue mechanics rest on interest income from a Tk 262B (2021) loan book across consumer, SME (CMSME cluster and women-entrepreneur Subarno at 5% fixed), corporate (11-14%), and trade finance segments, supplemented by fee/commission income, foreign exchange income via treasury operations, investment income on government securities, and credit card operations. Subscription-style deposit franchise spans savings accounts (2-3%), STAR Savings (up to 6%), and FDRs (4-10%); Bank Asia also operates an Offshore Banking Unit in Chittagong EPZ, two wholly-owned overseas subsidiaries (BA Exchange Company UK and BA Express USA Inc), and a Capital Market subsidiary (Bank Asia Securities Ltd). Its technology backbone is Oracle RAC with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and PCI DSS certifications, interoperating with correspondent networks of 750+ global banks plus Western Union, MoneyGram, Payoneer, and Eurogiro for cross-border remittance that processes over US$1 billion annually. Go-to-market is hybrid: relationship-led for corporate and SME, direct-to-consumer via branches and agents for retail/micro-merchant, and product-led digital via SMART App, internet banking, and AI-driven Voice Banking. The bank processes its strategic initiatives through wholly-owned subsidiaries, central-bank-aligned CMSME financing programs, and digital partnerships such as the 2026 BIDA OSS portal integration; pending acquisition of Bank Alfalah's Bangladesh operations for $47.5M will further consolidate its position among Bangladesh's top-ten private commercial banks.

Name

Bank Asia

Legal name

Bank Asia PLC

Website

https://bankasia-bd.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Bank Asia PLC is a publicly listed Bangladeshi commercial bank serving 8.8 million+ retail, SME, corporate, Islamic, agricultural, agent, and freelancer customers through 135+ branches and 5,000+ agent outlets, with universal banking products, a $1B+ annual remittance franchise, and pioneering digital and financial-inclusion offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Commercial Banking (52211)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021), State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings) (FSABAAAA), Islamic SME & Commercial Banking (FSABAGAB), Islamic Retail Banking (FSABAGAA)

Keywords

• Retail banking
• Corporate banking
• SME financing
• Agent banking
• Foreign remittance

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Interest earned on loans and advances including term loans, working capital, consumer finance, SME loans, trade finance, export credit, housing loans, and overdraft facilities
2. Deposit Interest Expense: Interest paid on customer deposits including savings accounts, fixed deposits, special notice deposits, and super saver accounts
3. Fee and Commission Income: Fees from trade services, remittance services, card services, locker services, account services, and various banking charges
4. Foreign Exchange Income: Revenue from foreign exchange trading, spot/forward transactions, and currency position management through Treasury operations
5. Investment Income: Income from investment in government securities, treasury bills, bonds, and fixed income instruments
6. Credit Card Operations: Revenue from credit card transactions including merchant discounts, annual fees, and interest on revolving balances
7. Agent Banking Commission: Commission income from agent banking network providing basic banking services in rural areas
8. Offshore Banking: Income from Offshore Banking Unit operations serving EPZ companies and international clients in foreign currency

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bank Asia PLC is a private commercial bank in Bangladesh that provides a full range of deposit, lending, and payment services through deposit accounts, consumer and corporate loans, credit and debit cards, Islamic banking (Salamah), SME financing, trade finance, treasury and foreign exchange services, and international remittance. It distributes these products via 135+ branches, 5,059+ agent banking outlets, an 8,500+ location digital post office and NGO partner network, and digital channels including the SMART App, internet banking, and AI-powered Voice Banking.

Product overview

Bank Asia PLC is a third-generation Bangladeshi commercial bank offering a comprehensive multi-channel banking platform with products spanning retail, corporate, SME, Islamic, agent, and digital banking. The core product portfolio includes traditional deposit/loan services alongside specialized offerings like the Shadhin freelancer card (first in Bangladesh), Voice Banking (AI-powered), SMART App mobile banking, and Agent Banking with 5,000+ outlets. The bank operates 135+ branches, 213+ ATMs, and maintains subsidiaries for securities, UK exchange, and US remittance services. Treasury services, foreign exchange, international trade, and remittance processing (over US$1B annually) form the institutional banking tier.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bank Asia SMART App: Mobile banking application for customers to access banking services through smartphone/tablet
• Hello Taka
• Shadhin Card
• Salamah
• Hello

Products and services

• Retail Banking Traditional banking services for individual customers including savings accounts, fixed deposits, current accounts, consumer loans, credit cards, and agricultural/rural finance.
• Corporate Banking Banking services for corporate clients including term loans, working capital financing, trade finance, and treasury services, with corporate lending rates of 11-14%.
• SME Banking Comprehensive SME financing including secured loans (Sondhi, Shombridhi, Sheba, Somadhan), unsecured loans (Subidha, Sristi, Shofol) at 14.50%, and special products (Start-up, Utshob, Somvabona). Includes Subarno women entrepreneur loan at 5.00% fixed.
• Islamic Banking (Salamah) Shariah-compliant banking products under the 'Salamah' brand including deposit products, profit on deposit, corporate banking, SME finance, retail finance, and investment products offered through dedicated Islamic Banking Windows.
• Agent Banking Pioneering agent banking services in Bangladesh with 5,059+ agent outlets providing last-mile coverage primarily in rural areas for basic deposits, withdrawals, remittance, and small loans.
• SMART App Mobile banking application allowing customers to access banking services through smartphones/tablets with 24/7 availability.
• Internet Banking Online banking platform enabling payments, instant fund transfers, utility bill payments, mobile top-ups, account statement viewing, and transaction monitoring accessible 24/7.
• Credit Cards Range of credit cards including Visa and MasterCard variants (World Elite, Signature, Platinum, Titanium, Gold, Classic) with cashback and discount offers.
• Shadhin Freelancer Card First-ever freelancer card in Bangladesh enabling freelancers to bring foreign currency earnings safely through legal channels and retain 70% in ERQ account.
• Voice Banking AI-powered phone call-based banking service using Telephony Artificial Neural Network enabling banking transactions via voice commands.
• Offshore Banking Unit (OBU) Offshore banking services for non-resident customers, operating in Chittagong Export Processing Zone with a controlled office in Dhaka.
• Treasury Services Group Treasury services covering Asset Liability Management (ALM), Money Market, Fixed Income, and Foreign Exchange operations including spot, forward, and cash exchange rates.
• Foreign Exchange Services Foreign exchange services including spot/forward sale/buy of currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD, AUD, SAR), 24-hour access to live rate charts, and internet-based trading platform.
• International Trade Services International trade operations including import/export transactions, foreign currency accounts, offshore banking, and correspondent banking relationships with 750+ banks globally, operated via 21 Authorized Dealer branches.
• Foreign Remittance Services Inbound and outbound remittance services through 129 branches, 4,800+ agent outlets, 1,500+ partner NGO locations, and 8,500+ digital post office locations. Processes over US$1 billion per year.
• Outbound Remittance (Western Union) Outbound remittance services via Western Union to 200+ countries with real-time transfer capabilities in 100 countries, covering 600,000+ agent locations in 130+ currencies.
• Student File Service Foreign exchange services for students studying abroad including tuition fee payments, boarding/living expenses, and health insurance payments.
• RFCD Account Resident Foreign Currency Deposit account for Bangladeshi residents aged 18+ who have traveled abroad, earning attractive interest rates in USD, EUR, and GBP.
• Government Securities Investment Investment services in Treasury Bills (3 months to 1 year) and Treasury Bonds (2 to 20 years) issued by Bangladesh Government with minimum BDT 1 lac investment.
• Home Loan Consumer finance for purchase of flat/house, construction of new house, or extension of existing property at 13.50% interest rate.
• CMSME Cluster Financing Financing for Cottage, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through cluster-based approach, with agreement signed with Bangladesh Bank.
• Subarno Women Entrepreneurs Loan Term loan product for women entrepreneurs at 5.00% fixed interest rate.
• Sondhi Secured term loan for trading businesses under SME secured products.
• Shombridhi Secured term loan for manufacturing businesses under SME secured products.
• Sheba Secured term loan for service businesses under SME secured products.
• Somadhan Secured overdraft product for trading, manufacturing, and service sectors under SME secured products.
• Subidha Unsecured term loan for trading businesses at 14.50% interest rate.
• Sristi Unsecured term loan for manufacturing businesses at 14.50% interest rate.
• Shofol Unsecured term loan for service businesses at 14.50% interest rate.
• Start-up Term Loan Special term loan for start-up businesses under SME segment.
• Utshob Festival/seasonal loan product for SME businesses at 14.50% interest rate.
• Somvabona Term loan for new entrepreneurs under SME special products.
• Astha CMSME Current Account CMSME Current Deposit Account for small and medium enterprises.
• A-Card (Agricultural Card) First-ever agricultural banking card launched in 2016 to facilitate rural farmers around the country.
• RMG Digital Banking Booth Complete banking service for garment workers at factory premises for salary disbursement.
• Locker Service Safe deposit locker services for customers to securely store valuables.
• Centralized Trade Services Centralized trade services for export/import and inward/outward remittance foreign-AD branches.
• Bank Asia Securities Ltd. Fully-owned subsidiary providing capital market services and brokerage operations.
• BA Exchange Company (UK) Limited 100% owned subsidiary exchange house serving Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Kingdom.
• BA Express USA Inc Overseas venture with 30+ agent locations across New York City facilitating remittances from the USA to Bangladesh.
• HelloTaka Online money transfer service from Europe to Bangladesh enabling instant transfers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.8 million+ customers served across Bangladesh
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Palace Luxury ResortminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 May 2026Bank Asia partnered with The Palace Luxury Resort in Habiganj, Sylhet to provide exclusive accommodation privileges for credit cardholders. Cardholders were eligible for a special 'Pay 1, Stay 2 Nights' package valid from May 1-27, 2026. The partnership was formalized at a signing ceremony at the Bank Asia Cards Department office in Dhaka.
• Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2026Bank Asia signed MoU with BIDA to integrate banking services with BIDA's online One Stop Service (OSS) portal, enabling investors to open bank accounts through the single platform. BIDA has partnered with 52 institutions offering 142 services through the OSS portal.
• Bangladesh BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank Asia works with Bangladesh Bank for CMSME financing programs, green banking refinance schemes, and inter-agency initiatives. Bangladesh Bank coordinates efforts for asset recovery of defaulted loans involving Bank Asia as one of the affected banks.
• Western UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBank Asia offers outbound remittance services in collaboration with Western Union, enabling customers to send money to 200+ countries and territories worldwide with real-time transfer capabilities in 100 countries and over 600,000 agent locations.
• EurogirocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank Asia became the first Bangladeshi bank connected with Eurogiro network (500,000+ branches around the globe) to engage all postal outlets for remittance services through post office banking.
• PayoneercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBank Asia was the first bank in Bangladesh to introduce Payoneer online payment gateway service, allowing IT freelancers to transfer dollars from Payoneer accounts to their Bank Asia accounts at competitive rates.
• MoneyGram Payments System Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoneyGram remittance partnership enabling customers to receive international remittances through Bank Asia's extensive branch and agent network across Bangladesh.
• Xpress Money Transfers ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide money transfer service partnership providing global remittance reach for Bank Asia customers.
• NBL Money Transfer (Malaysia, Singapore)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRemittance partnership with NBL Money Transfer branches in Malaysia and Singapore serving Bangladeshi expatriates in Southeast Asia.
• Lulu International Exchange (UAE)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Lulu International Exchange in UAE for remittance services to Bangladesh.
• BA Exchange Company (UK) LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor100% owned subsidiary of Bank Asia serving Bangladeshi expatriates in United Kingdom with high service standards. First overseas venture of Bank Asia.
• BA Express USA InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecond overseas venture with 30+ agent locations across New York City. Beneficiaries can collect remittances from Bank Asia's vast network of branches, agent outlets, and NGO locations.
• Bangladesh Digital Post OfficescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with digital post offices across Bangladesh (8,500+ locations) enabling beneficiaries to collect remittances from convenient locations nationwide.
• NGO Partner NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with 1,500+ NGOs having nationwide network for facilitating cash payment of remittances to beneficiaries in rural and underserved areas.
• Unimart LimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank Asia partnered with Unimart, a leading superstore chain, to offer 10% cashback privileges for credit cardholders on purchases at Unimart outlets valid till Eid day, May 28, 2026.
• Tropical HomesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank Asia signed MoU with Tropical Homes to facilitate home loan services for prospective apartment buyers of Tropical Homes projects. The partnership includes joint marketing initiatives and promotional activities.
• CA Property Development Limited (CPDL)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank Asia signed MoU with CPDL to provide convenient and attractive home loan facilities to prospective apartment buyers of CPDL projects. The partnership includes joint marketing initiatives, customer engagement programs, and promotional activities.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BRAC Bank PLC: One of Bangladesh's largest private commercial banks serving retail, SME, and corporate segments with a similar universal banking model, agent banking presence, and CMSME focus. Closest direct peer in customer segments, product mix, and digital strategy.
• Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC: Major Bangladeshi private commercial bank with a comparable branch and ATM network, strong retail and SME franchise, and pioneering agent banking footprint — directly competes with Bank Asia for the same middle-market customer base.
• Eastern Bank PLC (EBL): Bangladesh private commercial bank with a similar universal banking profile spanning retail, corporate, SME, and treasury services, and a comparable digital channel strategy (mobile and internet banking).
• Prime Bank PLC: Mid-sized Bangladeshi private commercial bank with retail, corporate, and SME banking products of comparable scope, including Islamic banking windows and agent banking — a near-direct peer in size and product mix.
• The City Bank PLC: Bangladesh private commercial bank with a similar retail/SME/corporate split, credit card offerings, and agent banking operations; directly comparable in customer segments and geographic footprint.
• Mutual Trust Bank PLC: Bangladeshi private commercial bank with comparable retail, SME, corporate, and Islamic banking services, and a similar mid-sized branch network — a direct peer in product portfolio and target market.
• Pubali Bank PLC: One of the largest private commercial banks in Bangladesh with similar retail, SME, corporate, and Islamic banking offerings and a national branch network overlapping Bank Asia's footprint.
• Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC: Bangladesh's largest Islamic bank, directly comparable to Bank Asia's Islamic Banking ('Salamah') window for Shariah-compliant retail, SME, and corporate products — a peer specifically in the Islamic finance vertical.

Broad incumbents

• Standard Chartered Bangladesh: Subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC, a global universal bank operating in Bangladesh with retail, corporate, and trade finance services — overlaps with Bank Asia's corporate, treasury, and trade finance offerings as a broader incumbent.

Emerging players

• bKash Limited: Bangladesh's largest mobile financial services provider, competing directly with Bank Asia's agent banking, retail deposits, and remittance distribution. An emerging player whose scale in low-ticket payments and deposits threatens Bank Asia's funding cost and customer engagement model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BankAsiaLimited/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bank Asia