Standard Bank PLC, a leading Shari’ah-based financial institution in Bangladesh, has officially inaugurated a month-long strategic initiative titled the ‘Smart Banking and Remittance Service’ campaign. Operating under the evocative slogan “Sincere Service Bridging Shari’ah and Modernity,” the campaign aims to harmonise traditional Islamic values with the rapid technological advancements of the contemporary banking sector.
A Vision for Digital Integration
The campaign was formally launched on 10 February 2026 during a high-profile ceremony held at the bank’s head office in Dhaka. Siddiqur Rahman, the Acting Managing Director of Standard Bank, presided over the event, marking the beginning of a nationwide drive across all branches and sub-branches.
The primary objective of this month-long endeavour is to accelerate the adoption of digital banking platforms among the bank’s diverse clientele. By transitioning customers toward “Smart Banking,” the institution seeks to enhance operational efficiency while providing a more seamless user experience. Furthermore, the campaign places a heavy emphasis on the formalisation of inward remittances, encouraging expatriates and their families to utilise secure, legal channels that contribute directly to the national economy.
Promoting Shari’ah-Compliant Products
A cornerstone of the initiative is the promotion of specialised Islamic banking products. Standard Bank is focusing its marketing efforts on accounts designed for specific religious and social obligations, ensuring that customers can manage their finances in strict adherence to Islamic principles.
| Product Category | Focus Area | Target Audience |
| Haj Accounts | Savings for pilgrimage | Prospective pilgrims |
| Mohor Accounts | Dower payment management | Newlyweds and grooms |
| Waqf Accounts | Perpetual endowments | Philanthropists and NGOs |
| Remittance | Secure foreign exchange | Expatriate families |
| Smart Banking | App-based transactions | Tech-savvy youth & professionals |
Leadership and Strategic Execution
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a cohort of the bank’s most senior leadership, underscoring the importance of this campaign to the bank’s 2026 fiscal strategy. Key attendees included:
Sirajul Kabir: Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Special Asset Management.
Mansoor Ahmed: Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Risk Management.
Mohammad Kaiser Alam Mozumder: Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources.
During the event, Mr Rahman emphasised that the bank’s evolution into a “Smart” entity does not come at the cost of its ethical foundations. Instead, the integration of modern fintech serves to make Shari’ah-compliant banking more accessible to the unbanked and underbanked populations of Bangladesh.
The campaign will run through the end of the month, featuring various customer engagement programmes, fee waivers on specific digital services, and enhanced support for remittance recipients across the country.