Internet banking transactions in Bangladesh continue to grow rapidly. Transactions through internet banking increased by 6.22 percent in June compared with the previous month.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, total internet banking transactions amounted to Tk 184,000 crore in June, up from Tk 173,260 crore in May. This represents an increase of around Tk 10,740 crore in a single month.

The information was revealed in Bangladesh Bank’s review report on e-banking and e-commerce. The report shows that the main drivers behind the increase were the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system and the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB). In contrast, transactions through the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN) declined.

In June, transactions through RTGS amounted to Tk 50,461 crore, compared with Tk 40,022 crore in May. This means RTGS transactions increased by 26.9 percent, or Tk 10,439 crore, in one month. As RTGS is used for settling large-value and real-time interbank transactions, the rise indicates increased movement of large sums through digital financial channels.

Meanwhile, transactions through NPSB stood at Tk 57,480 crore in June, up from Tk 55,967 crore in May. Transactions through the system increased by Tk 1,513 crore, or 2.7 percent, over the month.

However, transactions through BEFTN, which is used for batch-based interbank fund transfers, declined. Transactions through the system fell from Tk 12,987 crore in May to Tk 11,638 crore in June, a decrease of Tk 1,349 crore.

Bangladesh Bank said a significant number of customers are using internet banking to access financial services. The ability to transfer money, pay bills and access various banking services from home without visiting a bank branch is contributing to the growing use of digital banking.

Despite the increase in transaction volume, the number of internet banking customers declined slightly. The number of customers stood at more than 2.28 crore in May, falling to around 2.27 crore in June—a monthly decline of 0.64 percent.

According to June data, internet banking customers included 1.78 crore men, 44 lakh women and 4.70 lakh customers classified as ‘others’. The share of women among internet banking customers therefore remains significantly lower than that of men.

Meanwhile, a total of 58 scheduled banks were providing internet banking services to customers as of the end of June.

Bankers say the increase in internet banking transactions is being driven by stronger digital transaction infrastructure and growing customer reliance on online services. The rising use of RTGS for rapid transfers of large amounts and NPSB for instant card- and account-based transactions is also contributing to the overall growth.

Analysts say the significant rise in transaction volume despite a slight decline in the number of customers indicates that some existing customers are using digital financial services more frequently and for larger amounts than before.

However, they stressed that ensuring the broader expansion of digital banking will require not only higher transaction volumes but also greater participation among women and marginalised groups, stronger cybersecurity and increased customer confidence.

The nearly Tk 11,000 crore increase in internet banking transactions in a single month is therefore being viewed as an important indicator of the accelerating digital transformation of Bangladesh’s banking sector.