Savings accounts near 17.8cr as total bank accounts top 19.32cr, finance minister tells parliament
The finance minister says Bangladesh's financial inclusion rate has reached 64.5%, while a new strategy aims to bring all citizens under formal financial services by 2031
Bangladesh currently has more than 19.32 crore bank accounts, of which nearly 17.8 crore are savings accounts, Finance Minister Amir khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told parliament today (24 June).
Responding to a written question from Chandpur-3 lawmaker Sheikh Farid Ahmed, the finance minister said the total number of bank accounts in the country stands at 19 crore 32 lakh 51 thousand 232, according to the latest statistics from Bangladesh Bank.
Of these, 17 crore 79 lakh 50 thousand 465 are savings accounts, representing the largest share of banking accounts held by individuals. The total number of loan accounts in the country's banking sector currently stands at 1 crore 53 lakh 767, he added.
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The lawmaker had sought information on the number of people with bank accounts nationwide and whether the government has any plans to bring those without accounts under formal banking services.
In reply, the finance minister said the government has launched a major initiative to formulate the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2 (NFIS-2), setting a target timeline up to 2031 to ensure financial services reach all citizens.
He noted that the government has already been implementing the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) with the goal of ensuring financial inclusion for all adult citizens.
According to the minister, Bangladesh's overall financial inclusion rate currently stands at 64.5%.
The figure includes accounts maintained with banks, financial institutions, mobile financial service (MFS) providers, insurance companies, the capital market and microfinance institutions, as well as other government-approved financial service providers.
The finance minister said the current National Financial Inclusion Strategy is scheduled to expire in June 2026. In preparation for the next phase, the government has considered feedback from stakeholders across the financial sector, along with the evolving needs of citizens.
To achieve universal financial inclusion, the government has initiated the formulation of NFIS-2, which will be implemented nationwide from June 2026 to July 2031.
The new strategy aims to bring every citizen under at least one form of legitimate financial service, thereby expanding access to formal financial systems across the country, he said.
