Photo: Messenger
NRBC Bank is providing financial services for the development of the lifestyle of disadvantaged and lagging behind communities in chars and haor areas. Specially, The Bank is providing loan supports to the women without collateral to help them become entrepreneurs. On 14 December, 2024 in Gaibandha, 20 female small entrepreneurs were handed cheques for loans at a loan disbursement ceremony organized Care Bangladesh.
Mrs. Husne Ara Shikha, Spokesperson & Executive director of Bangladesh Bank, Mr. Rabiul Islam, Managing Director & CEO (CC) of NRBC Bank, NRBC Bank’s DMD Harunur Rashid, Bangladesh Bank Joint Director Nisat Afrroz Binni, Micro Finance Unit Head of NRBC Bank Md. Ramjan Ali Bhuyan and Acting chief of Party, SHOUHARDO III Plus, CARE Bangladesh's Mannan Majumder were present the ceremony. Global NGO CARE Bangladesh organized this event to inform about the progress of financial inclusion activities in rural areas and to publicly distribute loans under the SHOUHARDO III Plus activity.
NRBC Bank provided loans of Tk 50,000 each to 20 women entrepreneurs only 7 percent interest rate without collateral. The interest rate on these loans is only 7 percent. The borrowers are Kohinur Begum, Munni Begum, Mrs. Shamsunnahar, Rikta Begum, Dilufa Begum, Mrs. Nurunnahar, Shahana Begum, Zaheda Begum, Buli Begum, Josna Begum, Mrs. Shahana Begum, Jannatun Begum, Pratima Rani, Moyna Begum, Mithi Akhter, Anjuara Begum, Mrs. Nurunnahar, Shapla Begum, Mariam Khatun and Monowara Begum.
Mrs Husne Ara Shikha, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, stated that 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 program 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 utilized 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.
She also said that big industrialists are not repaying loans worth thousands of crores of taka to banks. But women do not have a tendency to default. Women should be developed as entrepreneurs for the sustainable development of the country's economy. The economic capacity of marginalized people will increase the capacity of the country. Therefore, everyone should come forward to bring marginalized people, including women, under the ambit of financial inclusion activities.
Mr. Rabiul islam, MD & CEO of NRBC Bank, stated that 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 one lakh small entrepreneurs across the country. The bank is reaching out to service-seekers in every household with banking services.
Mr. Harunur Rashid, DMD of NRBC Bank, Said that NRBC Bank has provided collateral-free loans to 138,000 small entrepreneurs across the country. We are serving the marginal level of people of the country for social development as the perspective of our national interest.
Acting chief of Party, SHOUHARDO III Plus, CARE Bangladesh's Mannan Majumder said that 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 the middle-income Bangladesh. NRBC Bank's economic inclusion activities are contributing to savings and income-generating activities for rural people.
In the event, it was informed that under the financial inclusion program, NRBC Bank is bringing the poor people of the remote Haor and Char areas of the country under banking services. The poor and underprivileged people of these regions are getting the opportunity to open an account for just 10 Taka. Savings and loan facilities are being offered in these accounts at no cost. Already 3502 small entrepreneurs have taken loans of Tk. 110 crores.
Messenger/Tushar
