Inclusive Finance

Commitment


To promote financial inclusion opportunities for vulnerable groups including those in remote areas, disabled people, and SMEs, and to provide financial literacy as well as necessary knowledge and skills to improve capacity and inclusion

Materiality


Adequate financial inclusion and sufficient financial literacy help build the financial stability of individuals and households and create new opportunities for businesses, which will create positive impacts to the economy and society. When the economy flourishes, our Bank is likely to grow in parallel and expand our business. Therefore, we strive to provide inclusive finance by extending the outreach of our financial services and developing a variety of products and services to meet the needs of all customer groups including vulnerable ones. At the same time, we remain committed to continually promoting financial knowledge and instilling financial discipline among customers and people of all groups and ages to mitigate the household debt problem and promote financial stability for both households and businesses.

Given the materiality of inclusive finance, the corporate governance committee is assigned by the Board of Director to oversee and support financial inclusion implementation.
Our Ways of Promoting Inclusive Finance

We focus on the followings:


  1. Promoting savings and helping reduce excessive debt by providing relevant financial knowledge to vulnerable groups.

  2. Expanding financial opportunities for vulnerable/underserved groups by developing innovative products and services based on their need, preference and feedback, and providing easy-to-understand financial literacy in easily accessible formats.

  3. Adopting responsible lending guidelines to prevent customers, particularly the vulnerable groups, from having excessive debt that could affect their quality of life. Adhering to market conduct guidelines to avoid aggressive sales and unfair treatment to customers. 

  4. Building a strong foundation for the underserved groups by providing loan support to SME and farmers, as well as providing non-financial support such as knowledge and skills in various fields to sustainably enhance their long-term ability to access finance. 

We encourage engagement and collaboration with external parties to promote inclusive finance activities and train our staff to understand related guidelines such as responsible lending and market conduct. We have collaborated with the Bank of Thailand, other commercial banks as members of the Thai Banker Association, and the government banks to launch Basic Banking Account for the State Welfare Cardholders and Those Aged 65 Years and Above to enable them to access basic financial services and deposit at no cost.
Guidelines

We focus on the following three objectives to promote inclusive finance and financial literacy:


  1. Preparing for an aged society by promoting savings and debt management, including providing financial knowledge related to retirement preparation and financial fraud.

  2. Building a strong foundation for the economy by providing loan support to SME and farmers, as well as providing knowledge and skills in various fields to enhance their competencies, leading to inclusive and sustainable finance.

  3. Extending financial opportunities for vulnerable groups by developing products and services that meet the needs of such groups and providing financial literacy in easily understandable and accessible formats.

We encourage related parties to regularly monitor and evaluate the results of these activities to gain insights that can be used for future improvements.
Promotion of Financial Inclusion for Individual Customers
Development of Service Channels

  • Banking Agents

    We continually extend our services through banking agents to promote accessibility and convenience for financial transactions, especially for people in rural communities and remote areas, or those with difficulties going to bank branches during working hours, or those with no access to digital and automatic channels. At present, our banking agents include 7-Eleven, Lotus’s, Thailand Post, Boonterm kiosks, True Money, AIS, Big C, Sabuy Plus kiosks, Sabuy Counters, Term Dee kiosks and KEX Express which together offer service points in all provinces across Thailand. At the end of 2024, we had a total of 202,773 banking agents distributed across Thailand serving more than 10.4 million transactions.


  • Bualuang ATM and Self Service

    In 2024 there were 6,946 Bualuang ATMs located across Thailand to offer convenient, safe and easy-to-use services, supporting all bank cards with information displayed in multiple languages including Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, Laos, Cambodian and Arabic. The Bank has also developed a special function for visually-impaired people to make cash withdrawals through a specifically designed Transaction Mode which is convenient, safe and addresses their daily cash needs. In 2024, we had a total of 6,436 Bualuang ATMs (equivalent to 93% of the total) were equipped with the Transaction Mode for the visually-impaired. Furthermore, we also provide automatic phone banking services 24/7 (Bualuang Phone 1333) for customers to make inquiries, transfer money, pay for services, top-up mobile phones, order check books, inquire about account balances, pay credit card bills, and buy mutual funds, as well as to enable customers to access other services by themselves or through Call Center staff.

  • Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking and Bualuang iBanking

    We strive to continually develop our Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking application to promote financial inclusion with services ranging from opening e-Savings accounts, transaction history and account balance checking, money transfers, withdrawals, top ups and bill payments, investment management, debit card activation and identity verification without the need to visit a branch. In addition, we also offer Bualuang iBanking services for customers to manage their finances with ease, convenience, and safety 24/7 through computers and tablets. The services on Bualuang iBanking include money transfer, bill payment, transaction history and account balance checking, payment for products and services, and fund management services. At the end of 2024, there were over 14.38 million registered users of Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking and Bualuang iBanking.

    Development of Products and Services

    • e-Savings Account

      We promote accessibility to deposit services by offering e-Savings accounts through Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking so that interested customers can open an account by themselves free of charge with no minimum deposit requirement and no cross-border transactions fee. Transactions can be made either through digital channels or branches without using passbooks.

    • Bualuang Extra Digital Savings Account

      We have diversified our digital savings account services via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking by launching the Bualuang Extra Digital Savings Account. This savings account does not require a minimum deposit amount for account opening and minimum balance maintenance, while providing accident insurance coverage of 10 times the remaining balance in the account on the day preceding the accident, up to a maximum of Baht 5 million per person. The account is available to individuals aged 15-69 years, providing access to both savings accounts and accident insurance services.

    • Cross-Border QR Payment Services

      We have developed an ‘Outbound’ cross-border payment service through QR Codes for customers to pay for products and services in foreign countries with convenience and safety using Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking. The service is free of charge and a real-time exchange rate is applied when making the transaction, while customers will receive an e-Slip immediately once a successful payment is confirmed. Similarly, with our “Inbound” service, vendors in Thailand can accept payments through PromptPay QR from foreign visitors. At present, tourists, business people and migrant workers in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia (Inbound only), Laos and Hong Kong can enjoy this convenient payment service, reducing the need to carry a lot of cash in foreign currencies while providing more business opportunities for many retail shops and vendors.


    • UnionPay QR

      Addressing the needs of tourists, we have developed a service for paying for products and services abroad by scanning UnionPay QR Codes via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking. Reducing the need to carry a lot of cash when travelling in over 40 countries worldwide, the service offers ease of payment without the need to download a new application. Money is deducted directly from the deposit account linked to the mobile banking after scanning. In China, customers can scan to pay at more than 119 million shops with the Weixin Pay sign.



    • Basic Savings Accounts for State Welfare Cardholders and Those Aged 65 Years and Above

      We promote financial inclusion for vulnerable groups through offering the Basic Banking Account for people with low incomes under the State Welfare Program and those aged 65 and over. This service features free-of-charge account opening, no minimum deposit requirement, no account maintenance fee, and no entry fee or annual fee for debit cards linked to the account, helping reduce the cost of opening deposit accounts for target groups. At the end of 2024, there were 30,625 Basic Banking Accounts.

    • Sinmathaya Supthawee Account – Bualuang Kids

      We offer Sinmathaya Supthawee – Bualuang Kids account service for children and young people aged under 14 years to promote a saving discipline. Legal guardians can open the account for a child at any bank branch. The account has a special condition that if they make a regular deposit every month for at least two years (minimum of Baht 500 per month), they will receive interest rates higher than a 12-month fixed deposit account and need not pay tax on the interest. The Bank expects that guardians will use Sinmathaya Supthawee – Bualuang Kids accounts as a tool to build saving discipline with their children to pave the path toward financial stability for their future.

    • Unsecured Personal Loans

      We promote ease of access to loan services for first jobbers and salary workers by offering multi-purpose unsecured personal loans for full-time employees with payroll accounts at Bangkok Bank, provided that their employer qualifies according to the Bank’s criteria. Loan terms include a credit limit of three to five times a borrower’s monthly income subject to a maximum loan amount of Baht 1 million with a special interest rate and no requirement for collateral or a personal guarantee. Those who meet the criteria can choose the type of loan according to their financial plan, such as Bualuang Loan Sookjai (multi-purpose installment term loan) with fixed monthly installments over a period of up to five years. Another type is Bualuang Loan Aunjai (multi-purpose revolving credit) which enhances liquidity for emergencies by allowing loan withdrawals with Be1st Smart debit card. At the end of 2024, the Bank had 3,431 customers for these two types of loan with total outstanding loans of Baht 287 million.

    • Loans for Pensioners

      We promote opportunities for groups of retirees who are former civil servants and civil employees receiving a monthly pension to access credit. These groups usually have limited or unstable income after their retirement which might impede their access to credit. Through this loan, pensioners can receive credit up to the amount stated in their certificate of family inheritance pension, with a special interest rate and without requiring a guarantee. Moreover, the loans have no management fees and a long repayment period of up to 30 years. During 2024, there was a total of 8,316 customers with a total credit amount of over Baht 1,232.90 million.


Financial Accessibility for Vulnerable Groups


  • The Bank pays special attention to vulnerable groups such as the elderly (over 60 years), customers with limited financial knowledge or no experience in using products and services, and customers with visual impairments. Therefore, we have specifically established guidelines for selling products and giving services to vulnerable groups, as well as provide trainings to service staff to prevent aggressive sales techniques, forced selling and disrespectful treatment to these groups. For example, we take into account customer’s needs and objectives, financial knowledge, risk appetite and tolerance level, and ability to understand when we offer products and services to them. In addition, an explanation of details, conditions, rights and exceptions of the products and services must be clear and easy to understand, as well as highlighting and emphasizing the key messages. If customers have questions, service staff must explain or clarify to them until they truly have a complete understanding without doubts or further questions. This is aimed to ensure that customers receive sufficient important information to make a reasonable decision. Service staff must also give as much time as necessary for vulnerable groups to digest and understand the information provided and not rush them to make decisions.
Promotion of Financial Inclusion for SME and Farmers
  • Loans for SME

    The Bank has been active in offering a diverse range of credit to SME to support them with capital or liquidity to promote their competitiveness and ensure solid g row t h s u c h a s B u s i n e s s l o a n s , B u a l u a n g Transformation loans, Bualuang Green loans, Bualuang loans for Franchise Businesses, loans for Gas Station Dealers, Bualuang Perm Sub (loan) and Bualuang Poon Sub (Revolving Credit), targeting SME who channel their trading transactions through the Bank. Interested SME can inquire about a business consultation and financial support at the Bank’s business centers nationwide or via the Bank’s website.

  • Loans for Farmers and Agricultural Businesses and Modern Agriculture Project

    As access to capital is a key challenge in the agricultural sector, we have continuously offered loans to SME in this sector to enhance their access to sources of finance. Furthermore, we continuously run our modern agriculture project to improve the capabilities of farmers through seminars and field trips for farmers who aim to improve productivity and product quality. These cover a variety of topics, including technology and innovation, value-added creation, marketing, energy management to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The Bank’s outstanding agricultural loans totaled more than Baht 218,915 million at the end of 2024. Moreover, we provide Bualuang Green Solar Energy loans and Bualuang Green Financing for Transition to Environmental Sustainability for farmers to invest in energy cost saving and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

  • CPF x BBL Liquidity Scheme for Suppliers

    The Bank and Charoen Pokphand Foods, or CPF, joined forces in offering the CPF x BBL Liquidity Scheme for Suppliers to provide revolving credit with special interest rates to suppliers of CPF, who are mainly SME, through the Supplier Payment and Finance service that promotes their access to capital, and strengthens their liquidity. This scheme provides for high loan amounts, speedy approvals and no collateral requirement, while customers can easily disburse the loans, repay loans on a daily basis and check their credit limits online anytime. At the end of 2024, there was a total of 147 suppliers who used the service with total credit of Baht 246.5 million.
Provision of Financial Literacy to Customers and the Public
  • Online Financial Education

    We seek to provide financial knowledge for customers and people of any age group or gender via diverse online channels such as the Bank’s website, Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking, LINE Official, Bangkok Bank’s Facebook page, Bangkok Bank’s Family Banking page, Bnomics Facebook page and Bangkok Bank’s YouTube channel. We offer a variety of educational topics to help build knowledge and pave the way to financial stability. In addition, we support financial education activities for various external organizations and educational institutions by inviting experts to share useful knowledge customized to suit the specific needs of each organization.

  • 2S (Saving and Service) Project

    The Bank promotes financial knowledge sharing and understanding that is suitable for people of all age groups through the 2S (Saving and Service) project that raises awareness of the importance of financial planning and recommends useful financial products suitable for different stages of life from childhood, to working age through to retirement age. In 2024, the Bank encouraged employees to organize educational sessions and build relationships with students, teachers and guardians from various educational institutions under the 2S for Kids project. Our employees participated in providing information about basic financial management, both online and on-site, to 57 schools with 7,210 students attending. Following this, a significant number of students, teachers and guardians were interested in the Bank’s financial products and services, especially Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking and e-Saving deposit accounts.

  • Unlocking Debt – Happy Retirement Project

    With mutual commitment to promote financial discipline among vulnerable groups, especially blue collar workers with low incomes and at risk of over indebtedness from loan sharks, the Bank and Noburo, a social enterprise startup, jointly launched the Unlocking Debt – Happy Retirement campaign to raise awareness about personal finances for employees of participating companies, provide advice on proper financial planning along with knowledge about bookkeeping of income and expenses, debt closure planning, and help relieve debt burdens through Noburo’s low-interest loans. Khaolaor Laboratories, A.I. Technology and Siam Toyota Manufacturing entrusted the Bank to tackle their employees’ problem debt and a total of 404 employees participated in the initiative with Baht 4.9 million of debt paid, of which Baht 2.7 million was debt with loan sharks. The Bank will continuously monitor the results of the debt repayment mission with the hope that this project will help a significant number of participating troubled debtors resolve their problem debt and achieve financial stability in the future.

  • Bangkok Bank SME (Puan Koo Kit SME)

    We seek to promote growth for SME through providing comprehensive credit services along with knowledge in all dimensions. Our online knowledge sharing network, Bangkok Bank SME, deploys multiple communication channels such as our website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X as well as providing online and offline training sessions and seminars on a regular basis. In 2024, the Bank focused on promoting knowledge about sustainability by selecting customers who have successfully applied sustainability principles in their business operations to share their views and experiences in the form of articles and video clips. Hoping to inspire other SME, the Bank also created the Be Sustainable program to provide knowledge specifically on sustainability through presentations of exemplary hands-on entrepreneurs showing the thinking behind and lessons learned from their implementation of sustainability initiatives. We will continue to carry out our SME The Master Talk program, which regularly presents new business models for SME in the digital age, for instance, SME Clinic Exclusive program and SME Successor program. In other programs we offer advice to family businesses and present articles on various other interesting topics, such as Mega Trends & Business Transformation and ESG, which covers risks and opportunities from climate change.
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