Since its launch in 2017, BRAC Bank’s TARA initiative has emerged as a trailblazer in Bangladesh’s financial landscape, becoming the nation’s first comprehensive banking platform designed exclusively for women. Eight years on, TARA has grown into a transformative force, serving over 300,000 women from all backgrounds and helping to reshape the face of financial inclusion in the country.
Today, women make up 28% of BRAC Bank’s total customer base, and TARA’s impact is significant. It contributes to 32% of the bank’s total retail deposits and was responsible for 39% of BRAC Bank’s net growth in 2024.
With more than BDT 10,000 crore in deposits, and over BDT 880 crore in retail loans, TARA stands as one of the most significant women-centric banking programmes in Bangladesh. It serves as a powerful example of how gender-focused financial strategies can deliver sustainable institutional impact at scale.
When TARA was introduced, just 13% of BRAC Bank’s customers were women, a figure that highlighted deeper systemic barriers. These included limited access to credit, low levels of financial literacy, informal business models, and financial products that did not reflect women’s needs. To address these issues, TARA was conceived as a holistic ecosystem which offered both financial and non-financial support to women at every stage of life.
TARA’s work extends deeply into the SME space. Its dedicated Women Entrepreneur Cell supports over 89,000 women-led small and medium enterprises. Around BDT 1,600 crore is disbursed annually, with 93% of these loans being collateral-free. Notably, 72% of recipients are first-time borrowers, which is a sign that TARA is actively expanding access to formal finance.
Its product offerings are purposefully crafted around life events and goals. For instance, the TARA Flexi DPS includes complimentary health and maternity insurance for account holders meeting a specified minimum threshold. TARA’s credit products are also designed with simplified documentation and favourable terms, helping to reduce barriers to entry.
On the digital front, TARA launched Bangladesh’s first women-branded virtual debit card, integrated with the bank’s Astha app. The app enables women to open accounts using eKYC, manage their funds, pay bills, and conduct secure digital banking independently. TARA customers now account for 12% of all Astha users. Additionally, 21% of BRAC Bank’s agent banking customers are women.
Today, BRAC Bank controls 25% of the women-led SME lending market among private commercial banks in Bangladesh. With a non-performing loan ratio of just 1.1%, TARA’s SME segment demonstrates strong financial health and viability.
Capacity-building forms a critical part of the programme. The Uddokta 101 accelerator run in partnership with universities delivers three-month training on business planning, digital marketing, and finance. In 2024, the Amrai TARA programme trained 1,870 rural women across 187 branches, while digital workshops under UddogTARA equipped over 150 entrepreneurs with skills in photography, content creation and digital branding.
TARA has helped digitise operations for more than 1,200 women through ERP solutions, while the Shabolombi TARA initiative has trained over 1,600 women in freelancing to support home-based income generation.
Mental health support is also woven into TARA’s model. A partnership with Moner Bondhu ensures that women receive resilience training and access to counselling during business development sessions, reinforcing the idea that financial wellbeing is inseparable from personal wellbeing.
To support outreach, BRAC Bank incentivises staff to engage more women and offers specialised training on serving female clients. A network of 446 SME units and 1,123 agent outlets ensures the programme reaches both urban and rural communities.
Global institutions such as IFC, FMO, and the Financial Alliance for Women have acknowledged TARA as a model for inclusive finance. Its growth has been fueled by strategic collaborations with the Gates Foundation, DEG Impulse, a2i, USAID, and Babson College, bringing global insight into the local banking ecosystem.
Built on the evolving needs of women, TARA represents an integrated and responsive platform. With its comprehensive scope, proven outcomes, and deep social relevance, BRAC Bank TARA continues to redefine how banks in Bangladesh can serve women as key drivers of economic progress.
