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DHAKA, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) — The number of sub-branches operated by scheduled banks of Bangladesh increased to 5,033 at the end of June 2026, as the banking sector continued to expand financial services, particularly in rural areas.

According to the latest statistics of Bangladesh Bank, 50 banks were operating sub-branch activities as of June 30, 2026. 

The number of sub-branches rose from 4,992 at the end of March 2026, with 30 rural and 19 urban sub-branches opened during the quarter, while eight were closed or merged.

The share of rural sub-branches increased slightly to 49.5 percent from 49.4 percent in March, indicating a gradual expansion of banking services outside urban centres.

Deposits mobilised through sub-branches recorded stronger growth than the overall banking sector. Outstanding deposits rose to TK 84,263 crore in June from TK  79,717 crore in March, registering 5.7 percent growth against 2.4 percent growth in total banking-sector deposits.

The share of sub-branch deposits in total banking-sector deposits also increased to 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent. 

Meanwhile, the number of deposit accounts increased by 5.9 percent to 8.97 million from 8.47 million.

The statistics, however, showed a decline in lending through sub-branches. Outstanding loans and advances fell 7.7 percent to TK 20,602 crore in June from TK 22,309 crore in March, while overall banking-sector loans and advances grew 1.4 percent during the period.

Despite the decline in overall sub-branch lending, the rural share of loans increased to 35.8 percent from 31.8 percent. The share of loans going to women also edged up to 14.7 percent from 14.0 percent.

The number of loan accounts declined by 5.3 percent to 240,010 in June from 253,512 in March. Women's share of loan accounts, however, increased to 18.9 percent from 18.3 percent.

Dhaka district had the highest number of sub-branches, with 1,007, followed by Chattogram with 470, Cumilla 218, Narayanganj 170 and Gazipur 168.

Among banks, IFIC Bank PLC operated the highest number of sub-branches at 1,224, followed by NRB Commercial Bank PLC with 688, Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC 350, Pubali Bank PLC 281 and Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC 271.

Bangladesh Bank introduced a policy for operating banking booths in 2018. These banking booths were subsequently recognised as sub-branches in 2019, while detailed terms and conditions for banking operations through sub-branches were outlined in 2023.

The central bank's Statistics Department collects data on sub-branch operations, including deposits, advances and location-specific information, to maintain a comprehensive database of scheduled banks' sub-branch activities.