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“In order to give a boost to lending through agent banking, we will set up sub-branch in every upazila where full-fledged branches are not available,” he said.

The sub-branches will approve the micro-loans replacing the head office as the bank looks to decentralise the existing system, Ali said.

The bank, which has so far disbursed 27 per cent of the total outstanding loans given via the agent banking outlets of all lenders, will disburse Tk 800 crore in 2021.

“The agent banking model should be used to provide the fund to the underprivileged section under the government’s social safety net programmes,” said Abul Kashem Md Shirin, managing director of Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL).

Sonali Bank is now dedicated to disbursing the fund, but the beneficiaries of the social safety net programmes do not have accounts.

If the fund can be disbursed through the agent banking window, more transparency will be ensured, Shirin said.

The prospect of the agent banking is bright thanks to the initiatives taken by the central bank and banks, Anwarul Islam said.

Customers now allowed to open an account with an agent within 5-7 minutes by filling up the electronic KYC (know your customers) form.

“This has attracted people,” Islam said.

As of September, the total number of accounts under the programme stood at 82.21 lakh, up 107 per cent year-on-year.