Forecast: Number of Commercial Bank Branches in Bangladesh

In 2023, the number of commercial bank branches in Bangladesh stood at 9.19 establishments per hundred thousand adults. Over the last decade, the growth rate showed fluctuations, peaking at a 2.42% year-on-year increase in 2014, and dropping to a negative growth of -0.56% in 2020. The CAGR over the last 5 years averaged 0.55%, indicating a relatively slow growth trend.

Starting from 2024 onwards, the number of branches is forecasted to continue increasing, reaching up to 9.7 establishments per hundred thousand adults by 2028. The forecasted CAGR for this period is more optimistic at 0.87%, suggesting a more stable growth trajectory. Over the next 5 years, the cumulative growth rate is expected to be 4.41%.

Future trends to watch for:

• Technological advancements in banking services that could impact the necessity of physical branches.
• Government policies and regulatory changes affecting the banking sector.
• Consumer preferences for digital versus physical banking channels.
• Economic conditions influencing the overall banking sector expansion.