DHAKA, SEPT 8: Around 2.12 crore people were come into the country’s banking channel during the last four years. Bangladesh Bank disclosed it at a press statement on financial inclusion on Sunday.

At the end of year 2008, the number of total depositor was reached 3.76 crore which was increased to 5.88 crore at the end of 2012, recording 56 per cent growth. Besides,

the number of creditors was 85.79 lakh at the end of 2008 which was reached 95.98 lakh at the end of 2012, registering a 12 per cent growth over the last four years, according to the central bank.

In order to bring the general people into the banking channel, a total of 56 banks are now providing banking services. Of which, four are state-owned commercial banks,

four are specialized banks, 39 are private commercial banks and the rest nine are foreign commercial banks. As of June 2013, these banks are cater

ing the needs of banking services of the general people through their 8427 branches, the BB data revealed.
Moreover under the deep supervision of the central bank,

a total of 31 non-bank financial institutions are playing a vital role in meeting the financial needs of the small and medium enterprises through offering various services including lease financing, house loan and project loan.

During the last four years, these non-banks financial institution opened 90 new branched to reach their services to the doorsteps of the general people.

In addition, mobile banking services have also strengthened the central bank efforts of promoting financial inclusion and expand the banking service into the rural areas.

The central bank has given approval of providing mobile banking services to 28 commercial banks. Of which, 18 banks are now playing a very significant role in providing banking services to the unbanked people.

The 18 banks have employed more than one lakh people and enterprises as agent of mobile banking.

The number of registered clients of mobile banking reached 72 lakh during the first three years of the

commencement of mobile banking services, which is a very remarkable achievement for the banking sector.