How to set up a Banking & Finance business in Bangladesh
We advise promoters, investors and fintech companies on licensing from Bangladesh Bank and other regulators, corporate structuring, capital requirements and ongoing regulatory compliance.
A highly regulated sector with high standards
Financial services in Bangladesh are licensed and supervised mainly by Bangladesh Bank, with microfinance overseen by the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) and capital-market intermediaries by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).
Licences for banks and non-bank financial institutions are granted selectively and carry significant capital, governance and fit-and-proper requirements. Fintech businesses — such as payment service providers, payment system operators and mobile financial services — follow separate Bangladesh Bank frameworks.
Key steps to get started
Choose the Licence
Identify the right category: bank, NBFI, MFS, PSP/PSO, microfinance or capital-market intermediary.
Promoters & Capital
Assemble sponsors and paid-up capital meeting the regulator’s minimum requirements.
Application
Prepare the business plan, governance structure and application to the regulator.
Incorporation
Incorporate with RJSC in the form the regulator requires, after in-principle approval where applicable.
Final Licence
Satisfy pre-launch conditions on systems, staff, policies and AML/CFT controls.
Ongoing Compliance
Regulatory reporting, inspections, AML/CFT obligations and governance rules.
What you are likely to need
Depending on the activity, the key approvals come from:
- Bangladesh Bank — bank licence
- Bangladesh Bank — NBFI licence
- Bangladesh Bank — MFS licence
- Bangladesh Bank — PSP / PSO licence
- MRA — microfinance licence
- BSEC — capital-market licences
- IDRA — insurance licences
- RJSC incorporation & trade licence
Key laws & regulators
- Bank Company Act, 1991
- Financial Institutions Act, 2023
- Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972
- Microcredit Regulatory Authority Act, 2006
- Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012
- Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009
- Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947
- Bangladesh Bank regulations & guidelines
Your legal partner from day one
We identify the right licence and the regulator’s requirements.
We draft the application, policies and constitutional documents.
We liaise with the regulator through the approval process.
We advise on ongoing compliance, contracts and disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Can a fintech start-up offer payments in Bangladesh?
Payment services generally require a licence or approval from Bangladesh Bank, or a partnership with a licensed bank or provider. We help you find a compliant route to market.
Is foreign investment allowed in financial services?
Foreign investment is possible in many financial services, subject to regulatory approval and sector-specific limits. We confirm the position for each licence type.
What are AML/CFT obligations?
Licensed institutions must have know-your-customer, transaction monitoring and suspicious-transaction reporting systems in place under the Money Laundering Prevention Act and BFIU instructions.
Do you help existing banks and NBFIs?
Yes. See our Banking & Finance practice-area page for our lending, security, recovery and regulatory work.
Speak with our legal team
Tell us about your matter. A Premier Law Services lawyer will review it and advise you on the right next step — in person at our Dhaka chamber or online.