Regulatory Alerts2026-05-23
PSD-1 Circular Letter No. 02: Renaming Cashless Bangladesh Unit as Bangla QR Implementation Unit
Bangladesh Bank’s Payment Systems Department issued Circular Letter No. 02 to rename its 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' to the 'Bangla QR Implementation Unit' and mandates all banks, mobile financial service providers, payment service providers, and system operators to fully adopt the Bangla QR payment infrastructure. The directive requires financial institutions to prominently feature Bangla QR in their mobile applications, onboard all branch and retail account holders to the channel, and designate a dedicated Bangla QR Branding Officer at every bank branch. Compliance reports detailing merchant onboarding and app integration must be submitted to the department by 3 June 2026, with all prior related directives remaining in effect.
Payment Systems Department - 1 Bangladesh Bank Main Branch Dhaka. 23 May 2026 PSD-1 Circular Letter No.: 02 Date: ------------------- 09 Joishtho 1433
Executive Director / Chief Executive Officers All offices of Bangladesh Bank / Mobile Financial Service Providers / Payment Service Providers / Payment System Operators (WLMA)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Renaming the 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' as 'Bangla QR Implementation Unit'.
With reference to PSD-1 Circular Letter No. -02 dated 16 March 2026, you are requested to note.
In order to further promote the use of cashless transactions and develop a robust digital payment infrastructure through the implementation of Bangla QR, the following instructions are issued:
a) Renaming the 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' established at the Head Offices of Banks, MFS, PSPs and PSO's in accordance with the instructions of PSD-1 Circular Letter No.-02 dated 16 March 2026, as 'Bangla QR Implementation Unit'; b) Ensuring that Bangladesh Bank, MFS, and PSPs' Mobile Apps display Bangla QR prominently, providing information on Bangla QR prominently, and keeping the Bangla QR payment option active; c) Ensuring that all branch and retail account holders of Banks are onboarded to the Bangla QR channel; d) Submitting a compliance report to this department by 03 June 2026, along with a compliance certificate, regarding the prominent display of Bangla QR in Mobile Apps until 31 May 2026 and the onboarding of merchants under the Bangla QR channel; e) Appointing one officer at each branch of Banks as a Bangla QR Branding Officer.
The instructions contained in the aforementioned circular and PSD-1 Circular Letter No.: 01 dated 01 April 2026 shall remain in force.
- This instruction shall be effective immediately.
Authorized Signatory,
(A.B.G. Golam Kazi) Deputy Governor (Department-1) Contact: 9530334