Farmers, traders get instant loans at Bangladesh Bank’s Open Loan Programme in Sirajganj

BRAC Bank and the participating banks have extended instant loan facilities to marginalized farmers and smallholder traders in Sirajganj under Bangladesh Bank’s refinancing scheme for Tk. 10/50/100 account holders.  

Under the guidance of Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Inclusion Department, BRAC Bank, as the lead bank, organised an open loan programme to extend low-interest loans under the central bank’s Tk 750 crore Refinance Scheme.

The programme was held at the Officers’ Club, Sirajganj, aimed at raising awareness and bringing underserved communities into the formal financial system. Officials and entrepreneurs from all 35 participating banks attended. The event featured the public disbursement of loans to marginal farmers and small entrepreneurs holding accounts of Tk 10, Tk 50, and Tk 100.

Abeda Rahim, Additional Director, Financial Inclusion Department, Bangladesh Bank, delivered the address as chief guest. Rokeya Sultana, Joint Director, Financial Inclusion Department, Bangladesh Bank, and S. M. Alomgir Hossain, Head of Cottage, Micro and Small Business Unit-1, BRAC Bank, attended as special guests.

Sheikh Ahona Hakim, Assistant Director, Financial Inclusion Department, Bangladesh Bank, outlined the purpose of the event and the central bank’s broader initiatives under the Refinance Scheme for marginalised communities.

From BRAC Bank, Proshanta Kumar Saha, Senior Manager, Regulatory Relations and Stakeholder Management, SME Banking; Fazlul Karim, Regional Head, Network Distribution, North Bengal; Sanjoy Kumar Saha, Branch Manager, Sirajganj; and other senior officials were present.

Two women entrepreneurs shared their stories of progress, personal accounts of how access to formal credit had changed the course of their businesses.

The initiative reflects BRAC Bank PLC’s continued commitment to empowering rural communities, enhancing financial literacy, and advancing financial inclusion at the grassroots level, in collaboration with Bangladesh Bank.