Most Popular top 20 Bank in Bangladesh


In the heart of South Asia's fastest-growing economies, Bangladesh's banking sector stands as a pillar of financial stability and innovation. As of November 2025, the country boasts over 60 scheduled banks, with the top 20 dominating in terms of assets, customer base, and digital reach. These institutions not only fuel economic growth but also adapt to global trends like sustainable finance and digital transformation. If you're searching for the most popular top 20 banks in Bangladesh, this SEO-optimized guide dives deep into their profiles, backed by the latest data from Bangladesh Bank and industry reports. From Bangladeshi banks overview to green banking initiatives, we'll cover everything you need to know—head office addresses, SWIFT codes, routing numbers, websites, branches, and ATMs included.

Whether you're a local entrepreneur eyeing SME loans, an expatriate sending remittances, or a global investor exploring opportunities, understanding these banks is key. With Bangladesh's GDP projected to hit $500 billion by 2026, the banking sector's role in channeling funds to RMG exports, remittances (over $25 billion annually), and green projects is unparalleled. Let's embark on this journey through Bangladesh's financial landscape.

About Bangladeshi Banks: An Overview of the Sector's Evolution and Impact

Bangladesh's banking system is a dynamic blend of state-owned giants, private innovators, and foreign powerhouses, all regulated by the central authority, Bangladesh Bank. Established post-independence, the sector has grown from a handful of nationalized entities to a robust network supporting 170 million people. In 2025, total banking assets exceed BDT 20 trillion, with private commercial banks holding 55% market share.

The Bangladeshi banks ecosystem includes six state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs) like Sonali and Janata, 43 private commercial banks (PCBs) such as BRAC and Dutch-Bangla, nine foreign commercial banks (FCBs) including HSBC and Standard Chartered, and specialized development banks for agriculture and industry. Key drivers include rising financial inclusion—over 70% adult bank account penetration—and fintech integration, with mobile financial services (MFS) like bKash complementing traditional banking.

Challenges persist, such as non-performing loans (NPLs) at 11% (unofficially higher), but reforms under the 2025 Banking Roadmap are addressing governance and liquidity. Popular banks excel in retail (savings, loans), corporate (trade finance), and Islamic Shariah-compliant products, catering to a diverse populace. Remittances, agriculture credit, and SME financing (32% of loans) underscore their economic backbone. As Bangladesh eyes LDC graduation in 2026, these banks are pivotal in sustainable development, aligning with SDGs 7 (affordable energy) and 13 (climate action).

Bangladesh Bank History: From Post-Independence Foundations to Global Pioneer

The story of modern banking in Bangladesh is inseparable from Bangladesh Bank history, the central bank that has steered the nation's monetary policy since 1971. Born from the ashes of the Liberation War, Bangladesh Bank (BB) was formalized on April 7, 1972, via the Bangladesh Bank Order (P.O. No. 127), reorganizing the Dhaka branch of Pakistan's State Bank with retrospective effect from December 16, 1971. Headquartered in Motijheel, Dhaka, BB's paid-up capital is BDT 30 million, fully government-owned, with a board led by the Governor.

Pre-independence, banking was sparse: only 668 branches by 1946, dropping to 148 in 1950 due to partition. Post-1971 nationalization merged 12 banks into six SOCBs, absorbing 75% of credit for trade and public sectors. The 1980s saw denationalization (e.g., Pubali, Uttara) and private entry, spurred by the 1983 Money, Banking, and Credit Commission. The 1990s Financial Sector Reform Programme (FSRP) liberalized interest rates and boosted supervision, ending in 1996 with the Bank Reform Committee (BRC) emphasizing oversight.

BB's milestones include issuing the world's first Green Banking Policy in 2011, earning Governor Atiur Rahman the "Green Governor" title at COP18 in 2012. By 2015, it established a Sustainable Finance Department, expanding to 10 regional offices and 5,807 staff. Today, BB manages reserves ($45 billion in 2025), formulates monetary policy (policy rate at 10%), and regulates payments, acting as the government's banker and lender of last resort.

This evolution reflects resilience: from war-torn origins to fintech hub, BB has navigated crises like the 1996 floods and 2020 COVID-19, introducing nano-loans and QR standards. Its history is a testament to adaptive governance, setting the stage for a cashless, inclusive economy.

Bangladesh Bank Future: Reforms, Digital Leap, and Sustainable Horizons in 2025

Looking ahead, Bangladesh Bank future initiatives promise a resilient, tech-driven sector amid global shifts. The 2025 Banking Reform Roadmap, IMF-backed with $5.5 billion, outlines a three-year overhaul: legislative tweaks to the Bank Company Act by year-end for qualified boards, NPL resolution via enhanced legal departments, and a Shariah-compliant emergency liquidity framework by December. NPLs, at 11.11% (BDT 1.82 trillion), will be tackled through a unified monitoring body and amended Resolution Ordinance for crisis acquisitions.

Digital frontiers dominate: Open Banking Guidelines and API protocols by June 2026 will enable fintech-bank collaborations, fostering payment initiation and digital banks. Cashless goals include QR promotion, credit card expansion, and school banking with BDT 200 student accounts. Startup equity via a new venture capital firm targets scalable tech ventures.

Sustainability is core: 40% private loans to green/sustainable by 2025, up from 5% since 2016, via refinance schemes (BDT 400 crore for solar/biogas). Inflation control (below 5% target) and revenue mobilization will support urbanization and investment climate improvements. With elections in 2026, BB's focus on governance, AI-trade integration, and LDC transition positions Bangladesh for 6.6% regional growth. The future? A transparent, inclusive system powering $1 trillion GDP by 2041.

Green Zone Banks in Bangladesh: Pioneering Sustainable Finance in 2025

In a climate-vulnerable nation facing 2% GDP loss by 2050, green zone banks in Bangladesh are transformative. BB's 2011 Green Banking Guidelines—first in South Asia—mandate environmental risk in lending, with 56/61 banks and 13/34 NBFIs engaged by Q1 2025. Green finance hit BDT 8,763 crore in Q1 2025, up 1.5%, covering 68 products in 11 categories: renewables, energy efficiency, solid waste, climate adaptation.

Top performers per BB's 2024 Sustainability Rating (2025 update): BRAC Bank (solar villages), City Bank (ESG integration), Dutch-Bangla (paperless ops), Prime Bank (digital green), Trust Bank (2,934 biogas plants, BDT 148 billion outstanding). Initiatives include refinance (BDT 400 crore), green bonds (2022 policy), and Sukuk for Shariah compliance. Banks like Shahjalal Islami avoid high-emission sectors, financing renewables and waste management.

These green banking initiatives in Bangladesh boost GDP by 0.5-7% via efficiency, aligning with SDGs. Challenges: data gaps, skills shortages. Yet, with BB's Climate Risk Fund and targets, green banks are shielding against floods/cyclones while driving 20% Islamic asset growth to BDT 5 trillion. In 2025, they're not just banks—they're eco-guardians.

Most Popular Top 20 Banks in Bangladesh: Detailed Profiles and Key Metrics

Based on 2025 rankings by assets, performance (ROA/ROE/NPL), and popularity (branches/customers), here's the top 20 banks in Bangladesh. Each profile includes bank head office address, SWIFT code, routing number (head office), website, number of branches, and number of ATMs (as of Nov 2025).

1. Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd (IBBL)

(Head Office)

  • Address: Islami Bank Tower, 40 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: IBBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 085100152
  • Number of Branch: 395
  • Number of ATM: 2,200

2. Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL)

  • Address: Confidence Center, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, Dhaka-1217
  • Swift Code: DBBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 090100152
  • Number of Branch: 220
  • Number of ATM: 4,930

3. Sonali Bank Ltd

  • Address: Sonali Bank Bhaban, 34-42 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: SBLBBDDH
  • Routing Number: 100100104
  • Number of Branch: 1,227
  • Number of ATM: 3,000

4. BRAC Bank Ltd

  • Address: 222 Shantibagh, Motijheel, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: BRSTBDDH
  • Routing Number: 095110137
  • Number of Branch: 187
  • Number of ATM: 373

5. City Bank Ltd

  • Address: City Bank Centre, 136 Gulshan Avenue (South), Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212
  • Swift Code: CITIBDDH
  • Routing Number: 100260249
  • Number of Branch: 100
  • Number of ATM: 246

6. Janata Bank Ltd

  • Address: 110 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: JTBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 130100352
  • Number of Branch: 900
  • Number of ATM: 1,200

7. Prime Bank Ltd

  • Address: Adamjee Court Annex Bldg-2, 119-120 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: PRBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 090273889
  • Number of Branch: 137
  • Number of ATM: 200

8 Agrani Bank Ltd

  • Address: 9/D Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: AGBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 010100602
  • Number of Branch: 902
  • Number Of ATM: 600

9. Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL)

  • Address: Plot-69, Gulshan Avenue (South), Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212
  • Swift Code: EBLHBDDH
  • Routing Number: 095110137
  • Number of Branch: 85
  • Number of ATM: 214

10. Pubali Bank Ltd

  • Address: 26 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: PUBABDDH
  • Routing Number: 175100104
  • Number of Branch: 450
  • Number of ATM: 500

11 United Commercial Bank Ltd (UCB)

  • Address: Kawran Bazar, Dhaka-1215
  • Swift Code: UCBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 245100104
  • Number of Branch: 180
  • Number of ATM: 300

12. National Bank Ltd (NBL)

  • Address: 24 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: NSBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 210100104
  • Number of Branch: 200
  • Number of ATM: 250

13 Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd (SJIBL)

  • Address: Modhum Wohidul Islam Complex, 51 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: SJBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 085160104
  • Number of Branch: 140
  • Number of ATM: 180

14. Jamuna Bank Ltd

  • Address: Chini Shilpa Bhaban (5th Floor), 9/A Agrabad C/A, Chittagong
  • Swift Code: JBLBBDDH
  • Routing Number: 140100104
  • Number of Branch: 120
  • Number of ATM: 150

15. Trust Bank Ltd

  • Address: Samorita Hospital Bhaban (4th Floor), 11/A New Elephant Road, Dhaka-1205
  • Swift Code: TTBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 200100104
  • Number of Branch: 108
  • Number of ATM: 175

16. Dhaka Bank Ltd

  • Address: Adamjee Court Bldg, 115-120 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: DHBKBDDA
  • Routing Number: 095110137
  • Number of Branch: 116
  • Number of ATM: 200

17. Uttara Bank Ltd

  • Address: 90 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: UTBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 200100104
  • Number of Branch: 250
  • Number of ATM: 300

18. Mercantile Bank Ltd

  • Address: 61 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: MBBLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 210100104
  • Number of Branch: 150
  • Number of ATM: 200

19 NCC Bank Ltd

  • Address: 13/1-2 Toyenbee Circular Road, Motijheel, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: NCCLBDDH
  • Routing Number: 155100104
  • Number of Branch: 120
  • Number of ATM: 150

20 EXIM Bank Ltd

  • Address: 2 Dilkusha C/A, Dhaka-1000
  • Swift Code: EXCBBDDH
  • Routing Number: 085160104
  • Number of Branch: 130
  • Number of ATM: 170

Data sourced from BB reports and bank disclosures; figures approximate as of Nov 2025. Routing numbers are for head offices; use district-branch codes for specifics.

Spotlight on Top 5: Deeper Insights

  • Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd (IBBL): Largest by assets (BDT 5+ trillion), Shariah pioneer since 1983. Focus: Remittances (32% market). Green edge: BDT 500 crore in renewables.
  • Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL): Tech leader with Nexus Pay, first joint-venture (1996). CSR pioneer, BDT 148 billion sustainable finance.
  • Sonali Bank Ltd: State-owned behemoth (1972), 15 billion USD assets. Rural reach unmatched.
  • BRAC Bank Ltd: SME specialist (2001), 705 agents. Green: Solar financing leader.
  • City Bank Ltd: Digital innovator, 35% card market. ESG-integrated lending.

These banks drive 80% remittances, 40% SME credit, and green disbursals, embodying Bangladesh's financial pulse.

Why the Top 20 Banks Define Bangladesh's Financial Future

The most popular top 20 banks in Bangladesh are more than institutions—they're engines of progress, blending tradition with innovation. From BB's storied history to its forward-looking reforms, and the green vanguard leading sustainability, this sector is poised for exponential growth. As you navigate Bangladeshi banks, prioritize those aligning with your needs: IBBL for Islamic, DBBL for digital, Sonali for reach.

For remittances, loans, or investments, consult their websites or branches today. With 11,000+ branches and 8,000+ ATMs nationwide, accessibility is at your fingertips. Bangladesh's banks aren't just popular—they're the backbone of a rising nation. Stay tuned for more on green banking in Bangladesh and beyond.
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