Entrepreneurs Demand Immediate Relaunch of Agrani Bank’s Agent Service

Entrepreneurs from across the country have publicly called on Agrani Bank to immediately relaunch its agent banking service, settle all outstanding dues, and compensate affected operators, following what they describe as an unjustified and prolonged suspension of operations. The demand was formally articulated at a press conference held on Wednesday, 3 December, at the National Press Club.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved entrepreneurs, Md. Abu Said highlighted the scale and significance of the agent banking network prior to its closure. He noted that for more than a decade, Agrani Bank’s agent banking service had been regarded as one of the most popular and successful financial inclusion initiatives in the country, providing accessible banking services to millions, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.

According to Abu Said, the situation deteriorated sharply on 19 June, when Agrani Bank abruptly shut down all agent outlets nationwide. Entrepreneurs were reportedly issued notices describing the move as a “temporary” suspension, accompanied by assurances that the bank would soon relaunch the service under a revised internal system. However, nearly six months on, no concrete steps have been taken to resume operations.

Abu Said further explained that the problems began earlier, when the bank stopped paying bill collection commissions in 2023, citing objections from Bangladesh Bank. This was followed by the complete closure of the agent banking business. More recently, the bank has attributed delays to ongoing court proceedings, a justification the entrepreneurs argue has left millions of customers without essential banking services.

The financial consequences for agent operators have been severe. Abu Said stated that entrepreneurs are now effectively stranded, as maintaining a single agent outlet requires a monthly expenditure of between 60,000 and 100,000 taka. These costs—including rent, staff salaries, utilities, and security—are borne entirely by individual entrepreneurs, many of whom invested personal savings or loans into their businesses.

He also accused senior bank officials of failing to honour prior commitments. The bank’s chairman and General Manager Roufa Haque had reportedly promised that, following software upgrades, agent operators would be brought under direct agreements with the bank. According to the entrepreneurs, this promise was never fulfilled, leading to the collapse of what had once been a thriving and trusted service model.

The press conference concluded with a series of firm demands, including accountability at the highest levels of Agrani Bank’s leadership. The entrepreneurs stressed that without immediate intervention, both livelihoods and public confidence in state-owned banking services would continue to erode.

Key Demands Raised by Agent Banking Entrepreneurs