PSD-1 Circular No. 02: Regarding the Establishment of the Cashless Bangladesh Unit

Page 1 Circular No. 1 Bangladesh Bank Main Branch Dhaka. 16 March 2026 PSD-1 Circular No.: 02 Date: -------------------

To, All Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers, All Branches of Bangladesh Bank / All Mobile Financial Service Providers / Payment Service Providers / Payment System Operators (WLMA)

Subject: Establishment of 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit'.

In order to accelerate the government's and Bangladesh Bank's step-by-step efforts towards making Bangladesh a Cashless, Digital, and Financially Inclusive country, various initiatives have been taken under the Cashless Bangladesh initiative. These include the promotion of Bangla QR, the establishment of an interoperable digital payment infrastructure, Mobile Financial Services (MFS), Internet Banking, POS, and online payments, which have significantly increased the reach and accessibility of digital payments in the country. Under the Cashless Bangladesh initiative, the promotion of Bangla QR transactions has been made mandatory for retail customers and merchants for licensing and renewal purposes. Furthermore, the Bangla QR channel has been made accessible to all citizens and residents through mobile banking, allowing them to access digital financial services.

2. In view of the need for effective coordination and timely implementation of the Cashless Bangladesh initiative under the policies, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Banks, Mobile Financial Service Providers (MFS), Payment System Service Providers (PSSP), and Payment System Operators (PSO), it is necessary to establish a dedicated 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' within the respective Banks, MFS, PSSP, and PSO (WLMA). The following instructions are hereby issued for this purpose:

a) A dedicated 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' must be established within the respective Banks, MFS, PSSP, and PSO (WLMA). The Head of the Unit in Banks shall be a Director-level officer or equivalent, responsible for coordination with the Deputy Managing Director or equivalent. The Head of the Unit in MFS, PSSP, and PSO (WLMA) shall be a Director-level officer or equivalent, responsible for coordination with the Managing Director.

b) At least 04 officers shall be appointed for the Unit in Banks, and at least 02 officers shall be appointed for the Unit in MFS, PSSP, and PSO (WLMA). To ensure coordination and timely action, the Deputy Head of the Unit in Banks shall be a Deputy Managing Director or equivalent, and the Deputy Head of the Unit in MFS, PSSP, and PSO (WLMA) shall be a Director-level officer or equivalent. The Assistant Deputy Head of the Unit in Banks shall be a Senior Officer or equivalent, and the Assistant Deputy Head of the Unit in MFS, PSSP, and PSO (WLMA) shall be an officer three levels below the Managing Director. These officers will be responsible for data collection, analysis, evaluation, and coordination.

3. The functions of the 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' shall be as follows:

a) To coordinate with the Bangladesh Bank for the promotion, production, processing, updating, and implementation of digital payment solutions such as Bangla QR, POS, Online, and Card payments under the Cashless Bangladesh initiative;

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b) To monitor the registration of customers in the respective Apps of Banks/MFS/PSSPs under the prescribed guidelines and to promote the use of these Apps; c) To promote the Bangla QR channel for merchant onboarding; d) To regularly monitor and report the registration of customers in the respective Apps of Bank branches and merchant onboarding activities; e) To prepare and submit reports on the performance of their officers regarding the implementation of directives; f) To regularly conduct awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops on digital payments, including Bangla QR, to create public awareness; g) To ensure the resolution of customer grievances, complaints, and disputes related to digital payments, as well as the implementation of internal regulations; h) To prepare and submit a comprehensive annual report on the implementation of the Cashless Bangladesh initiative to the Bangladesh Bank, along with the minutes of the meeting held at the end of March, and to present it to the relevant committee; i) To coordinate with the Bangladesh Bank and implement all related activities under the Cashless Bangladesh initiative; j) To coordinate with the Ministry, local administrations, City Corporations, Municipalities, business organizations, and other public-private partners for the implementation of the Cashless Bangladesh initiative.

4. By March 31, 2026, Banks/MFS/PSSP/PSO (WLMA) must submit the Forwarding Letter along with the details of the designated Head of the 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' as per Annex-1 to this department. Furthermore, any changes in the Head of the Unit must be communicated to this department immediately via email.

5. These instructions shall come into effect immediately.

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Annex-1 Details of the Newly Established Cashless Bangladesh Unit Head:

1. Name and Designation of the Unit Head: Phone Number: Email: