bKash–City Bank Digital Loans Cross Tk 5,000 Crore in Three Years
Customers have taken City Bank’s collateral-free digital loans more than 127 million times through the bKash app, marking a major milestone in digital lending in Bangladesh. Within just three years of launch, the service has disbursed over Tk 5,000 crore in digital loans.
So far, more than 1.9 million customers from all 64 districts of the country have availed themselves of the loan facility, 25 percent of whom are women. Most borrowers have used the service multiple times, reflecting growing trust and repeat usage.
Alongside regular users, the facility is significantly expanding access to finance for customers who are unbanked or underbanked, thereby strengthening sustainable financial inclusion. Through the bKash app, customers can instantly avail collateral-free loans ranging from Tk 500 to Tk 50,000 at any time with just a few taps—without any paperwork.
Loan eligibility and limits are determined automatically by City Bank using transaction data analytics and technology-driven assessment models. Borrowers are using the loans for a wide range of needs, including medical expenses, education, business capital expansion, starting new ventures, travel, and other emergencies.
No documentation is required when taking a City Bank digital loan through the bKash app. Once the loan is taken, installment payments are automatically deducted on the due date, subject to sufficient balance. Customers can view all relevant information—such as interest rates, processing fees, and repayment schedules—directly in the app at the time of loan disbursement. If a borrower chooses to repay the loan before the scheduled date, interest is charged only for the actual number of days the loan was used. Repayment reminders are sent through app notifications and SMS.
In addition, bKash and City Bank have introduced the “Pay Later” service to make essential and everyday purchases more convenient. Even without sufficient balance, customers can pay directly for purchases using their City Bank digital loan limit via the bKash app. Loans taken through Pay Later carry zero interest if repaid within seven days, with the option to repay through easy monthly installments if needed.
DBTech / AHB / EK / OR
