Bangladesh (BD)
Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Banking in Bangladesh
Recommended banks, payment culture and credit score basics.
Banking for legally resident expats is possible but KYC requirements are strict. You will need your passport, valid visa or work permit, employer appointment letter, proof of local address, e-TIN certificate, and source-of-funds documentation. The dominant daily payment tool is bKash mobile money, used at markets, for utilities, and small merchants — though foreign onboarding can be more restricted than for citizens. Open a bank account and, if eligible, a bKash wallet early: both are needed for salary receipt, rent payment, and everyday life in Dhaka.
Recommended banks
Standard Chartered Bangladesh
EnglishMonthly fee: No monthly fee if average monthly balance ≥ BDT 50,000; BDT 400–600/month service charge if below minimum
Requirements: Passport, valid visa/work permit, employer appointment letter, e-TIN certificate, recent utility bill or tenancy agreement as address proof, source-of-funds documentation. Branch visit to Gulshan or Motijheel required.
- + Best-recognised international bank for expat salary and expense accounts
- + Full English-language digital and branch banking
- + Strong international wire transfer and SWIFT capabilities
- + Priority Banking available for higher-balance customers
- + Widely accepted for embassy and corporate remittances
- - High minimum balance to avoid monthly charges
- - Branch appointment required — opening is not fully online
- - Limited branch network outside Dhaka and Chattogram
BRAC Bank
EnglishMonthly fee: BDT 0–500/month depending on account tier; current account service charge BDT 200–500 quarterly
Requirements: Passport, valid visa or work permit, employer appointment letter, proof of address (utility bill or employer letter), e-TIN if required. Can be initiated at branch; some documents collected by relationship officer.
- + Good urban branch and ATM network across Dhaka, Chattogram and divisional cities
- + BRAC Bank SME Aamar account and salary account options popular with NGO and development-sector expats
- + Reasonable English support at major branches
- + Mobile banking app (Astha) for transfers and account management
- + Strong employer payroll relationships with NGOs, garment buyers and development organisations
- - KYC process can take 5–10 business days
- - English app experience not as polished as Standard Chartered
- - Outward remittance requires additional Bangladesh Bank paperwork
Eastern Bank Limited (EBL)
EnglishMonthly fee: BDT 0–300/month; EBL Sky Banking accounts have lower minimum balance tiers
Requirements: Passport, visa/work permit, employer letter, address proof, e-TIN where required. EBL Sky digital onboarding available for some products but final verification may require a branch visit.
- + Strong digital banking — EBL Sky app is among the better Bangladeshi digital platforms
- + EBL American Express Card available for expats meeting income criteria
- + English-language customer support at Gulshan, Banani and major branches
- + Competitive remittance and FX services for personal transfers
- - Smaller branch network than BRAC Bank
- - Some foreign-card and outward-remittance documentation requirements same as all Bangladeshi banks
Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL)
Monthly fee: BDT 0; Nexus debit card annual fee BDT 750–1,150
Requirements: Passport, visa, employer letter and address proof. Branch visit required. English support limited; bring a Bengali-speaking colleague to first visit.
- + Largest ATM network in Bangladesh — DBBL Nexus ATMs available at Agora, Shwapno, petrol stations and transport hubs
- + Best option for cash withdrawals from international cards (Visa/Mastercard)
- + Rocket mobile banking widely available for utility payments
- + Low account and card fees
- - Branch and app primarily in Bengali — limited English support
- - Not recommended as primary account for international transfers
- - Customer service difficult without Bengali language
bKash
Monthly fee: No monthly fee; cash-out fee 1.85% of amount; free transfers between bKash accounts
Requirements: Bangladeshi NID or foreign passport with valid SIM card registered in your name. Foreigner registration requirements under Bangladesh Bank mobile financial services rules — confirm current eligibility with a bKash agent or branch.
- + Dominant mobile payment network — used at markets, pharmacies, transport and by domestic helpers
- + Accepted for utility bills, TV subscriptions, merchant QR payments and school fees
- + Instant transfers to any bKash account or bank account
- + USSD and app-based — works on basic phones without data
- - Foreign passport onboarding rules are periodically updated — verify eligibility before relying on it
- - Cash-out fee (1.85%) adds up on large withdrawals
- - Not a bank account — cannot receive employer salary
- - App and USSD primarily in Bengali
Payment culture
Cash in Bangladeshi taka is essential for markets, rickshaws, CNGs, small shops, domestic staff and many services. bKash is the dominant digital payment method for small transactions and utility bills — scan QR codes at supermarkets or transfer to vendors. Nagad is the second-largest mobile financial service (≈18% market share) — had regulatory and governance issues in 2024–2025 and is being privatized; it is operational but bKash remains the safer primary choice for expats. Debit and credit cards work at major hotels, malls, supermarket chains (Unimart, Agora, Shwapno), and international restaurants in Dhaka. Credit cards are less broadly accepted than in Western cities; American Express acceptance is limited. Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Pathao) accept in-app card and wallet payments. Always carry a mix of small notes (Tk 10, 20, 50, 100) for daily use — many vendors cannot break large notes.
Cash access
Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) Nexus ATMs are the most widely distributed network for cash withdrawals, including at Agora, Shwapno, petrol stations, and shopping centres. Standard Chartered, BRAC Bank and EBL ATMs are clustered in Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi and Motijheel. International Visa and Mastercard withdrawals work at most DBBL and Standard Chartered ATMs with a typical foreign-card fee of USD 3–5 per transaction plus your home bank fee. ATMs regularly run low on cash before Eid holidays — withdraw 5–7 days in advance. Cashback at point of sale is not standard in Bangladesh.
Credit Information Bureau (CIB) — Bangladesh Bank
The CIB is a Bangladesh Bank database accessed by lenders when evaluating credit applications. Individual access is through your bank or lender when applying for a loan or credit card.
New expats have no Bangladesh CIB history. Banks assess expat creditworthiness primarily through salary, employment tenure, employer name, and secured deposit products. A clean CIB is required for mortgages and personal loans. Foreign credit history from your home country is not automatically recognised.
International transfers
Inward remittances (salary or personal transfers into Bangladesh) must be received through official banking channels and documented with encashment certificates from the receiving bank. Outward remittances (sending money abroad) require a Form C declaration, source-of-funds evidence (salary slip, employer letter), and in some cases a tax clearance or withholding certificate. Standard Chartered and EBL offer competitive SWIFT rates for international wires. For routine personal transfers out of Bangladesh, work closely with your bank compliance officer — requirements change and documentary gaps can delay or block transfers.