, Sept. 18 -- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending by banks in Bangladesh has plummeted to its lowest level in a decade, dropping to Tk 150.56 crore in the first half of 2025, less than half of the previous six months' outlay, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank data.

This is the lowest CSR expenditure in 10 years, dropping even below the Tk 254 crore recorded in the first half of 2015.

The steep drop in CSR spending has sparked questions about banks' commitment to social causes and is being seen by analysts as a sign of shifting priorities.

A review of central bank figures shows CSR spending has fluctuated in recent years. It stood at around Tk 298 crore in July-December 2021, rose sharply to Tk 514 crore in the same per...