Staff Reporter, Dhaka : BRAC Bank Agent Banking has organized a series of ‘Uthan Boithoks’ in different districts to promote financial awareness and literacy nationwide.

As the bank’s Agent Banking Channel marks five years of inclusive banking in October 2023, it has intensified its financial education activities across the country, especially in local Haat, Bazar, educational institutions and yards of customers.

From July to September 2023, the bank arranged numerous meetings, known as ‘Uthan Boithok’, with customers, agents, remittance beneficiaries, unbanked people, and field-level bank officials. BRAC Bank Agent Banking conducted this enlightening session in various areas of Bangladesh, including Mymensingh, Netrakona, Shariatpur, Narail, Pabna, Barishal, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Rangpur, Sylhet, Khulna, Narayanganj, Madaripur, Brahmanbaria, Jhenaidah, Thakurgaon, and many more areas.

The bank officials discussed a wide range of topics, including the process of opening a bank account, the benefits of savings through FDR & DPS, access to loan schemes, the necessity of using legal channels for remittance, and digital banking services in those interactive meetings. The ‘Uthan Boithok’ usually ends with a Q&A session where the audience raises various queries, and bank officials answer them accordingly.

Commenting on ‘Uthan Boithok’, Nazmur Rahim, Head of Alternate Banking Channels, BRAC Bank, said, “With Agent Banking, our primary mission is to bring unbanked people into the financial system. We use interactive sessions like ‘Uthan Boithok’ to disseminate the message of basic banking and financial services and create public awareness. Agent Banking is the channel that uplifts marginal people and communities, brings them to the mainstream financial umbrella and elevates their standard of living. ‘Uthan Boithok’ is a testament to our commitment to ensuring financial inclusion of unbanked people.”

Seventy-nine per cent of 1,040 outlets are located in rural areas, and the bank’s Agent Banking is essential in driving financial inclusion in rural areas. In the last five years, more than 40,000 people participated in ‘Uthan Boithok’ organized by BRAC Bank.