InM Unveils Comprehensive Rural Finance Study Reports to Drive Rural Finance Policy Reforms and Inclusive Rural Transformation

DHAKA, August 23, 2026: The Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM) hosted the Report Launching Ceremony of the Comprehensive Rural Finance Study (CRFS) project on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at the Lakeshore Grand Hotel in Dhaka. Supported by the Bangladesh Bank, the event unveiled the findings of a milestone three-year research effort aimed at reshaping rural financial policies and institutional reorganisation as well as driving inclusive, equitable and sustainable rural transformation.

The ceremony was graced by Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Secretary of the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, and Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, as Special Guests. Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Executive Director of InM, chaired the session.

Under this comprehensive project, a total of 22 reports were produced, including analytical and survey reports, policy papers and briefs, and background studies. The project also conducted Bangladesh's first-ever nationally representative Rural Finance Survey, mapping out financial behaviours, product adoption, and institutional barriers among rural households and cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs).

Key Findings & Empirical Data

• Formal Savings & Credit Access: The survey revealed that 58% of rural households have access to formal savings services, while 54% have access to formal credit.
• Low Insurance Coverage: Only 17% of respondents reported having access to insurance, indicating significant vulnerability and low market penetration for essential risk-coping mechanisms in rural areas.
• High MFS Penetration: Mobile Financial Services (MFS) play a key role in expanding financial access, with nearly 87% of rural residents accessing MFS through either their own or shared accounts.

Policy Implications & Next Steps

The study concludes that expanding affordable savings, credit, and micro-insurance products through banks, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), and digital platforms is essential for strengthening financial inclusion and building rural economic resilience. The report serves as an evidence-based roadmap for Bangladesh Bank, policymakers, financial service providers, and development partners to foster sustainable and inclusive rural transformation in Bangladesh over the coming decades.

For details, see and/or download the full reports.