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Bangladesh's financial inclusion drive gathered further momentum in the December 2025 quarter, with no-frill accounts (NFAs) surpassing 34 million and deposits climbing above Tk 72.60 billion, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank (BB).
The number of NFAs -- low-cost accounts that can be opened with Tk 10, Tk 50 or Tk 100 -- stood at 34.20 million at the end of December 2025.
Deposits in these accounts reached Tk 72.60 billion, reflecting a steady rise in savings among low-income and previously unbanked populations.
Excluding student and working-children accounts, the core segment of NFAs rose 3.94 per cent year-on-year to 29.23 million.
Bankers and analysts attribute the growth to expanded refinancing schemes and rural credit distribution programmes aimed at small farmers and marginal entrepreneurs.
Social safety net (SSN) beneficiaries accounted for the largest share -- 37.11 per cent of total accounts -- underscoring the growing use of bank accounts for government allowance disbursement.
Farmers followed closely, comprising 36.37 per cent of the NFA base.
The figures suggest that government-to-person (G2P) transfers and agricultural financing remain key pillars of the country's inclusion strategy.
No-frill accounts are also emerging as an important conduit for inward remittances.
Cumulative foreign remittances received through these accounts stood at over Tk 8.27 billion by the end of the reporting quarter.
Banking sector officials said the ability of low-income families to receive remittances directly into Tk 10/50/100 accounts is helping divert transactions from informal hundi channels to the formal banking system, thereby strengthening foreign exchange inflows.
The December quarter also recorded a rebound in school banking activities.
A total of 126,027 new school banking accounts were opened during the period, marking a 2.62 per cent increase over the previous quarter.
The growth follows a policy directive requiring each bank branch to partner with at least one educational institution, alongside the resumption of nationwide school banking conferences.
Despite overall progress, inclusion efforts among the most vulnerable urban children remain subdued.
Accounts opened for street children and working children declined slightly by 0.45 per cent. Currently, 18 banks are managing 40,670 such accounts.
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