Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new person-to-person (P2P) payment facility through Bangla QR codes, allowing individuals to transfer money without manually entering the recipient’s mobile number or bank account details. The initiative is expected to simplify everyday financial transactions, reduce the need for cash and encourage wider adoption of digital payment services across the country.
The service officially came into operation on Sunday (1 November), adding a new dimension to Bangladesh’s digital payment infrastructure. Under the new arrangement, customers can transfer money directly to another individual by scanning the recipient’s Bangla QR code through a compatible banking or mobile financial service application.
Previously, customers generally had to enter the recipient’s mobile number or account details to complete a money transfer. The QR-based system provides an alternative that reduces the need for manual data entry. After scanning the code, the sender can check the recipient’s identity and relevant transaction information before entering the amount and confirming the payment.
The initiative, introduced by Bangladesh Bank, aims to make personal financial transactions easier, quicker and more secure. It is also part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on physical cash and expand the use of electronic payments in everyday activities.
Until now, Bangla QR technology had been used mainly for merchant payments at shops, restaurants, shopping centres and other business establishments. Customers could scan a merchant’s QR code using a compatible banking or financial service application to pay for goods and services without handling cash.
The introduction of P2P transactions extends the technology beyond commercial payments. Individuals can now use the same system to send money directly to friends, relatives and other people, creating new opportunities for QR-based transactions in everyday life.
The facility could be particularly useful for routine financial exchanges, such as repaying borrowed money, sharing expenses, settling personal debts and sending funds to family members. It may also save time for people who regularly transfer money, as they will no longer need to repeatedly enter lengthy account numbers or mobile numbers.
Reducing manual data entry could help minimise mistakes associated with entering incorrect payment details. However, customers must still exercise caution. Checking the recipient’s identity and the displayed transaction information before confirming a payment will remain essential. Users should also keep their banking PINs, passwords and one-time passwords confidential to protect their accounts from unauthorised access.
The expansion of Bangla QR payments reflects Bangladesh Bank’s wider efforts to modernise the country’s payment infrastructure and make digital financial services more accessible to ordinary people. As banking and mobile financial services become increasingly integrated into daily life, convenient methods of transferring money are gaining greater importance.
A broader use of QR-based payments could also reduce the need to carry physical cash for smaller transactions. Electronic transfers provide digital records, which can help individuals monitor their financial activities and keep track of payments.
However, the success of the new facility will depend on its accessibility, the participation of financial institutions and public confidence in the system. Greater awareness among customers, reliable technology and appropriate security measures will be essential to encouraging regular use.
Bangladesh Bank’s latest initiative is being viewed as another step towards modernising the country’s financial sector and building a cashless economy. By extending QR-based payments from businesses to individuals, the central bank has created a new avenue for everyday digital transactions, potentially making electronic payments a more familiar part of life across Bangladesh.