B Mirror Desk : The Bangladesh Bank has received applications from 12 domestic and international organizations requesting permission to open digital banks in the nation.

The applicants are as follows: Boost–Robi, Proposed Amar Bank, App Bank–Farmers, Nova Digital Bank (Banglalink & Square), Maitree Digital Bank PLC, Upokari Digital Bank, Munafa Islami Digital Bank (Akij), British Bangla Digital Bank PLC, Digital Banking of Bhutan – DK, Amar Digital Bank – 22 MFI, 36 Digital Bank PLC, and bKash Digital Bank.

The information was disclosed on Monday (3 November) by Arif Hossain Khan, spokesperson and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bank.

According to the central bank, the digital banking system is being introduced to leverage the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and enhance efficiency in the financial sector. These banks will operate without physical branches, sub-branches, or ATMs, providing all services through mobile apps and digital devices.

Under the guidelines, a digital bank must have a minimum paid-up capital of Tk300 crore. The initiative aims to ensure affordable and accessible banking services for small and medium entrepreneurs, marginalized communities, and various social groups, while promoting employment generation and sustainable economic growth.

Bangladesh Bank approved the Digital Bank Guidelines on 14 June 2023, initially setting the minimum capital requirement at Tk125 crore, which was later increased to Tk300 crore. In comparison, a conventional bank requires Tk500 crore in minimum capital to be established.

Licenses for digital banks will be issued under the Bank Companies Act, 1991, while payment services will be governed by the Bangladesh Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2014.

Applications for establishing digital banks were first invited on 26 August 2025. The initial submission deadline was 30 September, but considering the time needed to prepare proposals and collect necessary documents, the deadline was extended to 6:00 p.m. on 2 November 2025.