Small and medium-sized depositors remain the driving force behind Bangladesh’s banking sector, supporting the stability and growth of financial institutions across the country. Banks are increasingly leveraging digital platforms, simplified account procedures, and customer-centric initiatives to attract these deposits. In addition, remittances sent by overseas Bangladeshis continue to play a significant role in expanding the deposit base.
According to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank, 92 per cent of all deposit accounts hold less than BDT 1 crore, leaving only eight per cent with deposits exceeding BDT 1 crore. Within this framework, accounts with deposits of up to BDT 2 lakh constitute 13 per cent of total deposits, while 55 per cent of deposits come from accounts holding between BDT 2 lakh and BDT 25 lakh. This clearly demonstrates that Bangladesh’s banking sector relies predominantly on small and medium-sized savers.
Syed Mahbubur Rahman, former chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) and managing director of Mutual Trust Bank, explained, “Banks prioritise increasing retail deposits because they are stable and not withdrawn en masse. Interest rates on these deposits are lower, which makes them sustainable. Banks with a strong base of retail deposits have a firmer foundation.”
Deposit and Loan Growth
Despite political and economic uncertainties in 2025, the banking sector achieved an 11.5 per cent growth in deposits, while loans expanded by 5.6 per cent. Total deposits rose from BDT 18,83,700 crore at the end of 2024 to BDT 21,50,000 crore in 2025. Over the same period, loans increased from BDT 16,82,900 crore to BDT 17,77,300 crore.
First-generation private banks and state-owned commercial banks led the growth in deposits, recording 15.3 per cent and 11.6 per cent increases respectively. Household deposits, defined as deposits of up to BDT 1 crore, rose from BDT 10,34,100 crore to BDT 11,80,600 crore, marking a 14.2 per cent increase within one year.
Deposit Distribution by Size
| Deposit Size (BDT) | 2024 (Crore) | 2025 (Crore) | Share of Total | Number of Accounts (Million) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 2 lakh | 1,38,100 | 1,56,700 | 13% | 135.9 → 154.8 |
| 2 lakh – 25 lakh | 5,52,200 | 6,52,200 | 55% | 93 → 111 |
| 25 lakh – 50 lakh | 1,37,600 | 1,57,300 | 13% | 3.81 → 4.34 |
| 50 lakh – 1 crore | 1,12,000 | 1,26,000 | 11% | 1.62 → 1.81 |
| Above 1 crore | 83,500 | 83,100 | 8% | 0.035 → 0.038 |
The data underscores that small and medium-sized savers remain the foundation of the banking system, with the majority of deposits coming from accounts below BDT 1 crore. This deposit structure not only strengthens financial stability but also provides banks with a reliable source of long-term funding.