Dhaka Workshop Boosts Bancassurance Expertise

A two-day intensive workshop aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s emerging bancassurance sector has concluded at the University of Dhaka, bringing together academics, banking professionals, insurance experts and regulators to enhance industry knowledge and operational readiness.

Titled “Bancassurance in Bangladesh: Regulatory, Operational & Sales Readiness,” the programme was designed to improve collaboration between the banking and insurance industries, expand customer-focused insurance services and build the professional capabilities of officials engaged in bancassurance activities.

According to a media release, the workshop was jointly organised by the Master of Professional Banking (MPB) Programme of the Department of Banking and Insurance under the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka and the Bankers Club of Bangladesh Limited. The event was held on 10 and 11 July at the Professor Dr. Abdullah Farouk Multipurpose Hall on the ninth floor of the Faculty of Business Studies.

The inaugural session took place on Friday afternoon with Professor Dr. Mahmood Osman Imam, Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, attending as the Chief Guest. Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam Zahid, Chairman of the Department of Banking and Insurance, joined as Special Guest, while Professor Dr. Md. Main Uddin attended as the Guest of Honour.

Also present were Md. Rashed Akter, President of the Bankers Club of Bangladesh Limited; Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Mahmud, Coordinator of the MPB Programme; and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman (Aryan), Learning Development Secretary of the Bankers Club of Bangladesh Limited.

Speakers at the opening session emphasised that bancassurance has the potential to play an increasingly important role in Bangladesh’s financial sector by expanding access to insurance products through established banking networks. They said stronger cooperation between banks and insurers could improve financial inclusion while ensuring that customers receive suitable, reliable and transparent insurance solutions tailored to their needs.

The workshop featured eight specialised sessions covering both regulatory and operational aspects of bancassurance. Discussions on the opening day examined the current bancassurance landscape in Bangladesh, the regulatory frameworks administered by the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority and Bangladesh Bank, partnership models between banks and insurers, agreement structures, and methods for matching insurance products to different customer segments.

The second day concentrated on the practical requirements for successful implementation. Sessions explored operational preparedness, technology integration between banks and insurance companies, Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, anti-money laundering compliance, premium collection systems, claims management, risk management, consumer protection measures, prevention of mis-selling, sales-force preparedness, launch planning and the development of measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to support sustainable growth in the bancassurance market.

Faculty members from the University of Dhaka, senior officials of Bangladesh Bank and experienced professionals from leading banking and insurance institutions served as facilitators and resource persons. Among them were Professor Dr. Md. Main Uddin, Mohammad Ashfaqur Rahman, S. M. Ibrahim Hossain, Shubasish Barua, Mohammad Mahbub Hossain, Professor Dr. Hasina Sheykh, Md. Rashed Akter and Subir Kumar Kundu.

Beyond expert presentations, participants engaged in Bangladesh-specific case studies, group discussions, role-play exercises, reviews of regulatory documents, peer-learning activities and team presentations. They were also provided with practical tools, including a Bancassurance Launch Checklist, a KPI Dashboard and a Product Suitability Matrix, enabling them to apply the concepts in real-world banking and insurance operations.

The organisers said the workshop was intended to equip participants with both strategic and practical knowledge at a time when bancassurance is receiving growing attention as a channel for widening insurance coverage through the country’s banking system. The media release added that certificates will be awarded to successful participants on 17 July 2026.