BRAC Bank completes Tk1,000cr social bond

BRAC Bank has completed Bangladesh’s first social bond, with the Tk1,000 crore issue fully subscribed by 665 investors, including 593 individuals.
The bond completion ceremony was held in Dhaka on Wednesday, bringing together investors, regulators and financial-sector stakeholders, according to a press release.
Issued under the bank’s social bond framework, the subordinated bond follows the International Capital Market Association’s Social Bond Principles 2025. The framework was independently reviewed by S&P Global Ratings, according to the release.
The bond will strengthen the bank’s Tier-II capital under Basel III, while the proceeds will be used for eligible social investments, including CMSMEs and employment generation, women-owned businesses, agriculture and food security, affordable housing, healthcare, and water and sanitation.
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Masud Khan attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Md Anis Ur Rahman was guest of honour.
BSEC Commissioners Tanwir Habib Rahman and Md Nafeez Al Tarik, and Dhaka Stock Exchange Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar also attended the event.
BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Tareq Refat Ullah Khan said the successful issuance highlighted the potential of the bond market to mobilise long-term funds for social development and contribute to the diversification of Bangladesh’s capital market.