BKB gets Mastercard licence to expand digital payments

Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) has received a Mastercard licence for the first time among government-owned banks, paving the way for the lender to expand its card-based banking and digital payment services.

Mastercard’s South Asia Division President and Country Corporate Officer for India, Gautam Aggarwal, handed over the licence to BKB Managing Director Sanchia Binte Ali at a ceremony at the bank on Tuesday, according to a press release.

Sanchia said the licence would open new opportunities for the bank’s digital banking operations and help make cashless payments more accessible by expanding card-based transaction facilities for customers. Gautam Aggarwal said the partnership would extend digital payment services to more people across the country and support financial inclusion.

BKB Deputy Managing Directors Md Abdur Rahim, Mohd Khaleduzzaman and Abu Sayed Md Rowshanul, Mastercard Country Manager for Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal Sandun Hapugoda, and BKB General Manager of ICT Mohammad Salahuddin Razi, along with officials from both organisations, attended the ceremony.