Bangladesh introduces commercial e-loan service with Tk 50,000 cap for one year

Bangladesh has formally entered the era of digital lending by introducing commercial e-loan services with a maximum limit of Tk 50,000 for a repayment tenure of up to one year.

Under the new system, customers will be able to apply for loans, obtain approvals and receive funds through mobile apps or websites without visiting bank branches.

The central bank issued a notification on Monday, sending detailed instructions to chief executives of all scheduled banks through its Banking Regulation and Policy Department.

The e-loan service will initially be launched as a six-month pilot project, the notification said.

It will be rolled out fully if the pilot phase proves successful.

Under a single term, customers will be eligible for e-loans of up to Tk 50,000 with a maximum repayment period of 12 months.

Defaulters will not be allowed to receive these loans.

Banks have been instructed to introduce software systems to automatically verify customer information through Bangladesh Bank’s Credit Information Bureau (CIB).

If any borrower is later identified as a defaulter, banks must promptly adjust the loan.

The entire lending process, including customer selection, application and approval, must be completed digitally or online.

Commercial banks will not be allowed to charge any fee for CIB information verification.

Interest rates on the loans will be market-based.

However, loans eligible for refinancing facilities will carry a 9 percent interest rate.

The policy said the move was aimed at expanding digital financial services, strengthening financial inclusion and accelerating Bangladesh’s transition towards a cashless economy amid growing use of internet banking, mobile applications and digital payment platforms.

Bangladesh Bank said banks must verify customer identities through biometric authentication, one-time passwords (OTP) and two-step or multi-step authentication systems instead of physical signatures during loan processing.

Banks have also been instructed to ensure complete protection of customer information. Customer data cannot be shared with any third party.

Before disbursing loans, banks must collect information on customers’ existing liabilities from banks, financial institutions and mobile financial service providers.