Newspaper: The Financial Express
In an interview with the Financial Express (FE), Ahsan Zaman Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO of Trust Bank PLC, highlights products and trends of the seasonal banking.
Financial Express (FE): Does Trust Bank offers any Ramadan-specific or Eid-centric banking products?
Ahsan Zaman Chowdhury (AZC):Â Trust Bank recognises that Ramadan and Eid are deeply significant periods marked by spiritual reflection, family togetherness, and social bonding which leads to increased consumer activity. Accordingly, we have introduced a Ramadan & Eid Special Credit Card Campaign aimed at supporting our customers during the festive season.
The campaign offers well-considered, curetted benefits, including exclusive Iftar and dining privileges at leading restaurants, cash back facilities on Eid shopping at popular fashion and lifestyle outlets, and special advantages on online purchases, groceries, and daily essentials. Customers with higher spending patterns also enjoy enhanced reward opportunities. Alongside these offers, we are actively promoting digital banking services, EMI facilities, and secure payment options to ensure convenience and flexibility throughout the season.
FE: How do consumers benefit from these offerings?
AZC:Â The benefits are both financial and experiential. Our primary objective is to ease financial pressure during the festive season. Customers enjoy tangible cost savings through cash back and dining privileges, while ensuring convenience through secure digital and online payment channels.
The availability of instalment facilities provides greater financial flexibility, allowing customers to spread their expenses responsibly. At the same time, digital payment options ensure safety and convenience, especially during busy shopping periods. Overall, the initiative enhances lifestyle value during Ramadan and Eid, enabling customers to celebrate comfortably without placing undue pressure on their finances.
FE: What inspires Trust Bank to design such seasonal products?
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AZC:Â Ramadan and Eid are not only religious occasions; they are deeply rooted in our social and cultural fabric. During this time, families and relatives come together, and spending patterns change significantly.
As a responsible financial institution, we closely observe customer behaviour and market trends. There is a growing shift towards cashless transactions and digital banking across Bangladesh. Our product designs reflect these realities. Our approach to product design is guided by a deep understanding of customer lifestyle needs during this season, as well as the growing preference for cashless and digital transactions.
At Trust Bank, we are committed to offering value-added banking solutions that are both practical and relevant. These initiatives reflect our broader focus on supporting customers with responsible, convenient, and rewarding financial options aligned with their real-life needs.
FE: Are there plans to introduce new products in the near future?
AZC:Â Certainly we have. Innovation remains one of key priorities to Trust Bank's growth strategy. We are continuously expanding our product portfolio with a strong focus on digital-first solutions. Upcoming initiatives include enhanced contactless and mobile-based payment features, lifestyle-focused co-branded and segment-based cards, and more innovative loyalty and reward programs. Our objective is to deliver customer-centric innovations that keep pace with changing market dynamics.
FE: How do you view the growth of Ramadan and Eid-centric banking products in Bangladesh?
AZC:Â The market for seasonal banking campaigns-particularly during Ramadan and Eid-has expanded notably in recent years. There has been a significant rise in card-based and digital transactions, coupled with stronger customer demand for cash back, discounts, and lifestyle-focused benefits.
At the same time, rapid growth in e-commerce and online grocery spending has intensified competition among banks to offer differentiated, value-added seasonal propositions.
These trends highlight Bangladesh's steady transition toward a more digital and cashless financial ecosystem, where customers increasingly prioritise convenience, security, and rewards. Trust Bank remains firmly committed to contributing to this transformation through innovative, customer-focused banking solutions.
