Dhaka, Nov. 25 -- The expansion of agent banking in Bangladesh has slowed, both in terms of outlets and agents, a development widely attributed to a new regulatory requirement aimed at increasing female participation in the sector.

Bangladesh Bank data shows the number of new agent bankers fell from 16,019 in December 2024 to 15,321 in September 2025, a drop of about 4.4 per cent. Over the same time, total outlets decreased from 21,248 to 20,488, down around 3.6 per cent.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Financial Express that the contraction follows a central bank directive requiring at least 50 per cent of newly appointed agent-banking entrepreneurs to be women -- a policy aimed at promoting female participation in financial ...