Digital Financial Service Product Innovation #1 - Bank Asia

USAID’s Agricultural Extension Support Activity (AESA), implemented by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) in partnership with CARE Bangladesh and mPower is piloting a new initiative entitled ‘Smallholders’ Access to Microfinance through Bank: A-card’ to provide smallholder farmers with agricultural lending. AESA is partnering with Bank Asia Limited and local microfinance institutions Society Development Committee (SDC), Grameen Jano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS) and DAM Foundation for Economic Development (DFED) to test a micro-credit facility for farmers in Faridpur, Bhola, and Barguna districts. USAID’s mSTAR/Bangladesh project is providing technical assistance to implement the aforesaid model in the pilot areas. This learning document provides more details about this exciting DFS product innovation, including its benefits and the roles of those involved.