EBL launches women’s banking portal

During a roundtable discussion titled “Women’s Participation in Smart Bangladesh,” Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) announced the launch of a women’s banking portal aimed at female entrepreneurs. The discussion was attended by Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director and CEO of EBL, who highlighted the portal’s all-inclusive self-service platform.

The platform offers customers a comprehensive bundle of online-based services, ranging from business management and access to finance training to entrepreneurship development programs and online loan applications.

Iftekhar emphasized that the portal is a unique proposition in the market, serving as a pathway for any potential entrepreneur to build a sustainable relationship with financial institutions. Women leaders from various industries also participated in the roundtable discussion, including Ambareen Reza, co-founder and CEO of foodpanda, and Sara Zaker, co-chairperson of Asiatic 3sixty. Economist Forrest E Cookson delivered the keynote address.

EBL’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion is reflected in their data. In 2007, 18% of their 730 employees were women, and as of present, 22% of their 3,000 employees are women. Furthermore, more women are in leadership positions within the organization. With the launch of the women’s banking portal, EBL hopes to promote and support female entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.