United Commercial Bank (UCB) has introduced a pioneering women-centric banking service, “AIMA”, aimed at enhancing financial empowerment and self-reliance among women across Bangladesh. Through this initiative, female customers can access loans for vehicle purchase, home construction, business expansion, personal expenses, and other approved purposes. The maximum loan limit under the programme is set at BDT 50 million.
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Vehicle Loans
Under the AIMA programme, women can obtain a loan of up to BDT 400,000 or 50% of the vehicle price, whichever is lower. The repayment period extends up to five years. Applicants must be registered under the AIMA service to be eligible.
Income Eligibility for Vehicle Loans:
| Customer Type | Minimum Monthly Income (BDT) |
|---|---|
| Salaried Officer | 50,000 |
| Medical Professional | 60,000 |
| Self-Employed Professional | 60,000 |
| Businesswoman | 75,000 |
Business Expansion and Entrepreneur Loans
Women entrepreneurs can access the AIMA Dipti Loan, designed to support business growth.
Maximum Installment Loan: BDT 5,000,000
Unsecured Loan (No Collateral): Up to BDT 500,000
Minimum Business Experience: 1 year
Permitted Uses: Capital investment, agricultural production and marketing, or other approved business activities
Business Loan Terms:
| Loan Type | Maximum Loan (BDT) | Collateral Required | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installment Principal Loan | 5,000,000 | Yes | 1–5 years |
| Unsecured Loan | 500,000 | No | 5 years |
Home and Personal Loans
Through AIMA, women can obtain loans for home construction, purchase, or renovation up to BDT 20 million, with a maximum repayment period of 25 years. Personal loans are also available up to BDT 2 million and are fully unsecured.
Income Eligibility for Home and Personal Loans:
| Loan Type | Salaried Income (BDT) | Self-Employed Income (BDT) | Business Income (BDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Loan | 40,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 |
| Personal Loan | 25,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
Debit and Credit Card Benefits
AIMA customers can avail themselves of MasterCard Classic, Visa Classic, and Visa Signature cards, offering rewards for shopping and travel, installment options, restaurant discounts, and loyalty points accumulation.
Other Banking Services
UCB has also launched several tailored products for women entrepreneurs and small business owners, including:
Self-Reliant Current Account
AIMA Easy Account
AIMA Protyay Monthly Savings Programme
These schemes allow low initial deposits and encourage regular savings through monthly instalments, promoting financial discipline and security.
Conclusion
UCB’s AIMA service is a transformative initiative, consolidating vehicle loans, home financing, business expansion support, and personalised banking under one umbrella. By providing comprehensive financial solutions, the programme strengthens women’s economic participation and fosters long-term financial independence.