BRAC Bank wins accolade at Global SME Finance Awards

BRAC Bank PLC has been honoured "Sustainable SME Financier of the Year" in Asia at the Global SME Finance Awards 2025 for its pioneering Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) financing programme.

Syed Abdul Momen, additional managing director and head of SME banking at BRAC Bank, received the award in Johannesburg, South Africa recently, according to a press release.

In partnership with Water.org, the bank has developed a substantial WASH portfolio, providing improved sanitation to over 350,000 people and access to safe water for nearly 800,000 across the country within just a year.

Out of hundreds of applications worldwide, 50 institutions were shortlisted, including three from Bangladesh. BRAC Bank secured the accolade for Asia, highlighting its leadership on the global stage.

"This honour reinforces our commitment to building a sustainable future through innovative SME financing. We will continue to invest in solutions that uplift communities and drive inclusive growth," said Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank.

The Global SME Finance Awards, organised by the SME Finance Forum under the World Bank Group, form part of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).

The awards celebrate institutions that deliver impactful and scalable SME solutions.