SoftBank-backed bKash, Bangladesh's largest mobile financial-services provider, plans to roll out loan products to its 85 mln customers, moving beyond payments into consumer credit. CEO Kamal Quadir said lending currently makes up a very small share of revenue but could deliver stronger results as the business scales using its license. The push comes as investor SoftBank shifts strategic focus to AI and infrastructure; Quadir said he has not been asked to change bKash’s strategy.

2026-10-14

SoftBank-backed bKash, Bangladesh's largest mobile financial-services provider, plans to roll out loan products to its 85 mln customers, moving beyond payments into consumer credit. CEO Kamal Quadir said lending currently makes up a very small share of revenue but could deliver stronger results as the business scales using its license. The push comes as investor SoftBank shifts strategic focus to AI and infrastructure; Quadir said he has not been asked to change bKash’s strategy.