A recent report by Bangladesh Bank, published on 5 April, has revealed that eleven banks and the majority of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) in Bangladesh did not undertake any corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in 2025, despite an overall increase in total CSR spending by the banking sector in the latter half of the year.
Of the country’s 61 banks, 11 reported zero CSR expenditure during the year. Similarly, among 35 NBFIs, 21 recorded no CSR spending, highlighting uneven engagement across the financial sector. The report points to a continued concentration of CSR activities among a limited number of institutions.
Despite this limited participation, banks that actively engaged in CSR increased their contributions in the second half of the year. Total CSR spending by banks reached Tk197.85 crore from July to December, up from Tk147.19 crore in the first six months — a growth of approximately 34%.
Private banks remain the main drivers of CSR, accounting for 79.16% of total spending, while state-owned banks contributed only 4.09%, emphasising a significant imbalance. Standard Chartered Bank emerged as the largest contributor, spending Tk27.71 crore, followed by BRAC Bank at Tk20.04 crore and EXIM Bank at Tk19.85 crore.
CSR allocations continue to focus primarily on traditional sectors. Education received the largest share, representing 32.47% of total CSR expenditure, with health initiatives close behind at 29.07%. Together, these sectors consumed nearly 60% of the total CSR outlay. Meanwhile, environmental and climate-related spending remained comparatively low at 14.81%, falling short of the 20% benchmark recommended by Bangladesh Bank.
Under Bangladesh Bank regulations, banks and financial institutions are required to allocate up to 1% of their net profits to CSR. At least 30% of this allocation must go to education, another 30% to health, and 20% to environmental protection and climate change initiatives. The remaining 20% may be spent on income generation, disaster management, infrastructure, sports, and cultural projects.
Top CSR Contributors in 2025
| Bank / Institution | CSR Spending (Tk crore) |
|---|---|
| Standard Chartered Bank | 27.71 |
| BRAC Bank | 20.04 |
| EXIM Bank | 19.85 |
The report underscores a growing CSR trend among active institutions but also highlights a critical participation gap. Analysts suggest that stronger regulatory oversight and incentive mechanisms may be necessary to ensure more uniform engagement in CSR across both banks and NBFIs.