NRBC Bank provides loans to underprivileged of Gaibandha's char areas

NRBC Bank is providing financial services for the development of the lifestyle of disadvantaged and lagging behind communities in chars and haor areas.

The bank is providing loans without collateral to help them become entrepreneurs, according to a media release.

Additionally, NRBC Bank offers all kinds of banking services free of charge, with a minimum account balance of 10 taka.

In Gaibandha, 16 female small entrepreneurs were handed cheques for loans on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from Bangladesh Bank, NRBC Bank Chairman Parvez Tamal, Micro Finance Unit Head Md Ramjan Ali Bhuyan and CARE Bangladesh's Chairman of the Friendship Project, Marc Nosbach.

The borrowers include Monika Rani, Mina Begum, Farnashi Begum, Fatema Begum, Loveli, Sumi, Moslema Begum, Champa Begum, Shakila Akhtar, Masuda Begum, Asma Begum, Roshna Begum, Johura Begum, Jannatun Begum, Mukta Begum, and Rosna Khatoon.

Each of the borrowers received a loan of 50 thousand taka, the release says.

Abul Bashar, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, said, “By 2026, everyone in the country must be brought under the umbrella of financial services according to national policy guidelines. Bangladesh Bank is working towards this goal, providing the opportunity to open accounts for only 10 taka without any complexity, and nearly 1 crore accounts have been opened. The commendable programme of distributing small loans without collateral in rural areas is being praised. NRBC Bank is working on the development and rural-centric management of people in the local areas. The bank's resources are being utilised for the development of villages and the advancement of women. All banks have the opportunity to distribute loans from these resources. It is necessary to involve people in economic inclusion initiatives at the local level.”

Parvez Tamal, Chairman of NRBC Bank, stated, “NRBC Bank is working for the welfare of the poor people in rural areas. All banking services are provided by simply opening an account for only 10 taka. Small interest loans are provided without collateral to create employment opportunities for rural people. NRBC Bank has already provided loans to 88 thousand small entrepreneurs across the country. The bank is reaching out to service-seekers in every household with banking services”.

“To develop villages, it is necessary to enhance the economic capacity of women. Simplifying financial access and inclusion is essential. Banks need to be more village-centric to uplift middle-income Bangladesh. NRBC Bank's economic inclusion activities are contributing to savings and income-generating activities for rural  people," Mark Nosbach, Chairman of CARE Bangladesh, said.

In the event, it was informed that already 1300 people have deposited Tk 390 million in the bank, and 105 small entrepreneurs have taken loans of Tk 5.25 million.

A day-long ceremony was organised in Gaibandha for the beneficiaries of CARE Bangladesh's Friendship Program.

Four bank stalls, including NRBC Bank, were set up, and loans were distributed directly to customers, the release adds.