Pubali Bank deepens commitment to health sector through CSR

As a financial institution, we at Pubali Bank have always believed that our responsibility goes beyond banking services. Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are guided by a simple philosophy: standing beside those who are left behind and ensuring that our support creates real, visible impact in their lives.

Over the years, we have consistently focused our CSR spending on public welfare sectors, particularly health, education, and environmental protection. These are areas that directly touch people's lives, especially those living in the country's remote and underserved regions. Whether it is healthcare support, educational development, or disaster relief, our intention has always been to respond where the need is most urgent.

Health, in particular, remains our highest priority. We are deeply interested in investing in this sector because it directly connects us with people's everyday struggles. For example, after the tragic plane crash incident involving Milestone School, Pubali Bank contributed Tk 1 crore to support the burn unit of a hospital. During times of natural disaster as well, we have always stepped forward. In the recent situation in Feni, we provided Tk 5 crore in assistance to support relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Infograph: TBS

Our CSR spending is not random; it is guided by a structured policy. Like every bank, we are required to allocate 2.5% of our net profit to CSR activities. At Pubali Bank, we try to ensure that this allocation is used in the most effective and meaningful way possible. A significant portion of this fund goes into health, education, and environmental projects, where the impact is both measurable and visible.

For us, visibility is not about publicity—it is about accountability. We do not believe in spending CSR funds on abstract or unclear initiatives. For instance, if someone proposes research on trees without a clear practical outcome for communities, we usually do not engage in such projects. Instead, we focus on initiatives that directly benefit people at the grassroots level. In many coastal areas, for example, people still lack access to basic safe drinking water. Addressing such fundamental needs is where CSR becomes meaningful.

Environmental sustainability is another key focus area. Over the past three years, we have planted more than one lakh trees as part of our afforestation initiatives. We are also working on expanding green cover in a char area near Mawa, in collaboration with the government. If implemented properly, this project will help restore environmental balance in the region and contribute to long-term ecological stability.

Our CSR approach is not driven by visibility or branding exercises. We deliberately avoid overly promotional activities. Instead, we try to invest in initiatives that bring tangible benefits to society. For example, if a hospital requires infrastructure support such as an ICU, lift, or ambulance, we consider providing assistance. Similarly, we support schools and colleges by helping establish laboratories and improving learning facilities.

We also extend financial support to hospitals through loans when necessary, ensuring that healthcare institutions can expand their capacity to serve more people. In this way, CSR for us is not limited to grants alone; it is part of a broader effort to strengthen essential public infrastructure.

From my perspective, CSR is far more than a compliance requirement or a financial obligation. When used strategically, it becomes a powerful tool to build trust, strengthen brand value, and deepen our connection with society. It also has a positive long-term impact on business by creating goodwill and mutual respect between the institution and the public.

In today's global context, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are becoming increasingly important. At Pubali Bank, we are gradually integrating these principles into our broader institutional thinking. CSR is no longer treated as a standalone function. Instead, it is closely aligned with our long-term vision of responsible banking.

Each year, our CSR expenditure continues to grow. Currently, we spend around Tk 24 to 25 crore annually, and this amount increases by Tk 1 to 2 crore every year. This steady growth reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our social impact. However, for us, the focus is never on the size of the number—it is on how effectively that money is used.

During times of crisis and natural disasters, corporate institutions have a critical role to play. I firmly believe that every organisation should step forward with its CSR funds during such periods. These are the moments when support matters the most. Whether it is floods, cyclones, or other emergencies, timely assistance can make a real difference in people's lives.

We see CSR as a responsibility that must be exercised with discipline and purpose. It should always follow proper guidelines and be directed towards areas where it can create the highest level of social benefit. At Pubali Bank, we remain committed to ensuring that our CSR activities are not only impactful but also transparent, accountable, and sustainable.

Ultimately, our goal is simple: to ensure that every taka spent through CSR contributes meaningfully to society and leaves behind a lasting, positive change.

Roots of change: Pubali Bank's expanding CSR footprint

Pubali Bank PLC's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives reflect a growing commitment to environmental sustainability, social inclusion and national development, going far beyond traditional banking support. 

In recent years, the bank has steadily expanded its impact-driven programmes, aligning its operations with Bangladesh's urgent climate challenges and broader development priorities.

A major focus area has been environmental protection through large-scale tree plantation and greening initiatives. Recognising Bangladesh's vulnerability to climate change, Pubali Bank has integrated afforestation into its climate risk strategy. As part of its journey towards supporting net zero carbon ambitions, the bank launched structured greening and coastal afforestation programmes in 2024. 

In 2025 alone, it planted around 75,000 trees across 45 districts. These efforts covered coastal belts, riverbanks, roadsides, educational institutions, hospitals, residential areas and even prisons—contributing to biodiversity restoration, carbon absorption and long-term ecosystem resilience through the use of indigenous species.

Beyond environmental work, the bank has also supported initiatives that challenge social barriers and promote inclusivity. It provided Tk0.11 crore to support a Bangladeshi female mountaineer and marathon runner, Nurunnahar Begum, for her expedition to Himlung Himal (7,126 metres) in Nepal. 

Having previously summited peaks such as Island Peak and Thorong Peak, her journey symbolises determination in a field historically dominated by men. The sponsorship reflects Pubali Bank's commitment to gender equality and empowering women in leadership and extreme sports.

The bank's CSR also extends strongly into skills development and healthcare. It funded Tk0.69 crore for Bharasha Institute, a non-profit organisation working to empower underprivileged women through entrepreneurship training, daycare management, and digital marketing skills. In the healthcare sector, Pubali Bank contributed Tk0.58 crore to the Gonoshasthaya Dialysis Center, one of the country's largest kidney care facilities, which serves over 250 patients daily through its extensive dialysis and ICU services.

During humanitarian crises, the bank has continued to step forward. It donated Tk1.15 crore to support burn victims of Milestone School and College, ensuring access to long-term treatment materials through the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Another Tk1.15 crore was contributed to assist families affected by the July 2024 movement under the July Joddha O Shahid Poribar Shohayata Tahabil. In addition, Pubali Bank provided over 51,000 blankets to cold-affected communities across the country through the Chief Advisor's Relief Fund and targeted northern regions.

Complementing its social initiatives, the bank has also actively supported the government's "Cashless Bangladesh" vision by conducting over 150 digital banking campaigns in 2025. These initiatives promoted e-KYC, digital payment systems, Bangla QR adoption, banking app usage and financial literacy, helping expand the country's digital financial ecosystem.

Together, these efforts position Pubali Bank's CSR as a multi-dimensional strategy—rooted in sustainability, inclusion and digital transformation, with a tangible impact on communities across Bangladesh.