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BB gives initial nod to four digital banks
Published : Thursday, 24 September, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Observer Online Report
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has given initial approval to four proposed digital banks, clearing the way for them to receive letters of intent (LoIs) and move to the next stage of the licensing process, on Thursday (September 24).
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Bangladesh Bank board of directors, chaired by Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman.
The four entities receiving initial approval are Digital Banking of Bhutan, sponsored by Bhutan’s DK Bank; bKash Digital Bank, backed by the shareholders of bKash; Nova Digital Bank, sponsored by VEON, the parent company of Banglalink, and Square Group; and Boost Digital Bank, sponsored by Axiata, the parent company of Robi.
The board also decided to issue an LoI to Kori Digital Bank, which had already received initial approval earlier.
The latest decision follows an application process launched by Bangladesh Bank in 2025. A total of 13 entities had applied to establish digital banks, with applicants including business groups, mobile operators, mobile financial service providers and microfinance institutions.
The initial approval does not amount to a final licence. The selected entities will have to fulfil the required regulatory and other conditions before receiving final approval to launch their digital banking operations.
-AAH
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
