Mobile Financial Services - Special Issue

During his childhood, Md Mujbur Rahman would see his mother waiting for days to receive money sent by his father through the post office from Adamjee Jute Mills, the then biggest operational jute mill in the world.

In the middle of an ongoing pandemic, the use of cash transactions imposes various risks. I have found it very difficult to switch to completely cashless transactions.

The most defining perk of using Mobile Financial Services (MFS) is being able to use mobile phones to access financial services and execute financial transactions. Put simply, cashless payment makes life easier.

Mobile financial services are already growing at a fast clip in Bangladesh. If interoperability among operators and compliance is ensured, the service’s cost is brought down, and a level-playing field is guaranteed, the industry will reach a new height.

Depending on the operation, responsibility and relationship(s) among MFS SolutionProvider and customers mainly two types of mobile financial services (Bank-led and Non-Bank-led) are followed worldwide.

Bangladesh will be a role model for Mobile Financial Services globally if the present trend of growth continues, said Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman.

bKash, a subsidiary of BRAC Bank, provides safe, convenient and easy ways to make payments and money transfer services via mobile phones to both the unbanked and the banked people of Bangladesh.

There are a number of systemic challenges in the mobile banking sector in Bangladesh that exist today. In this article, I will enumerate what I think are the top-5 systemic challenges. To be sure, there are more than five systemic challenges in this sector. But, the five challenges I identify here may be considered binding constraints – overcoming these will pave the path forward for addressing many of the other challenges.

Like any fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), two key critical factors can “make or break” your business dream in mobile financial services. First is the Product Development & Marketing and the second but equally important is building a “Quality Distribution/Agent Network”. Today, I'll touch upon building a “Sustainable Quality Agent Network” for effective and compliant mobile financial service delivery.

Bangladesh has garnered attention as one of the most favored destination for investment and economic growth across the world. Numerous economic and financial publications have stated the immense potential of Bangladesh, given the highly adaptive, low-cost and educated workforce the country has to offer.

Bangladesh began its mobile banking journey in 2011. The primary goal of mobile banking, also commonly referred to as mobile financial services (MFS), is financial inclusion – reaching the unbanked population with appropriate financial services.

Mobile Financial Service (MFS) is becoming popular at a faster rate in Bangladesh than many of us could comprehend. At a gradually growing pace, more and more Bangladeshis are coming under the network, and even more are expected to avail the service in the coming days once banks start coming up with better offers.