No final decision on digital bank licensing

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has clarified that no final decision has been taken regarding the issuance of digital bank licences, amid reports published in several national dailies.

As part of the government's initiative to expand technology-driven inclusive financial services and build a "Cashless Bangladesh," Bangladesh Bank issued a public notice on August 26, 2025, inviting applications for establishment of digital banks. Applications received within the stipulated timeframe are currently being evaluated in accordance with relevant policies and prescribed procedures.

The evaluation process is being conducted in phases by three separate committees: the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), the Business Evaluation Committee (BEC) and the Financial Evaluation Committee (FEC).

At the 447th meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 16, 2026, progress reports on the ongoing evaluation process were presented to the Board alongside other agenda items, it said.

According to the central bank, discussions at the meeting were limited strictly to procedural aspects, including the evaluation process and criteria. No decision regarding the granting of digital bank licenses was taken at the meeting.

However, on the same day, a small group of bank officials reportedly organized a press conference on the digital bank licensing issue without prior authorisation from the appropriate authority. Despite the absence of any decision-making agenda on the matter, several national newspapers published reports without adequately verifying the information, leading to what the central bank described as misleading coverage.

Bangladesh Bank expressed concern that such reports could create confusion and misperceptions among the public. The central bank urged media outlets to verify information with the appropriate authorities before publication and to avoid one-sided reporting on controversial matters. It also called on the media to uphold responsible journalism by presenting the views of all relevant parties in the public interest.

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