Bangladesh is globally recognised as the birthplace of microfinance, a transformative model which has redefined how financial services empower the poor and marginalized. Over the decades, microfinance has stood as a cornerstone of poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and rural economic growth, enabling millions of households to break the cycle of deprivation. Building on this national legacy, POPI’s Microfinance Programme has grown into a trusted and dynamic initiative, steadily advancing the organization’s vision of inclusive prosperity and resilient communities.
POPI's Microfinance programme plays a pivotal role in the organization's mission to eradicate poverty and stimulate employment, directly aligning with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger). As of June 2025, POPI Microfinance operates through 17 Regional Offices, covering 7 divisions, 35 districts, 231 upazilas, 1,381 unions, and 5,726 villages. This extensive network ensures access to financial services for communities often left out of formal banking systems. The programme now serves 396,788 members, including 332,586 active borrowers through 314 branches, enabling families to invest in livelihoods, income-generating activities, housing, and education.
This programme offers a diverse range of loan products meticulously designed to cater to different segments of programme participants, taking into account crop seasonality and addressing risks associated with natural disasters and economic shocks.
Microfinance Product Portfolio
Buniad: Designed to uplift the extreme poor.
Jagoron: Providing loan support to households categorized as moderately poor.
Agrosor: Tailored credit solutions for middle-income borrowers.
Sufolon: Focused on supporting agricultural development and climate-resilient farming.
Sahos: Emergency credit facilities for vulnerable households during crises and disasters.
Enrich: Supporting Income Generating Activities (IGA), livelihood development, and asset creation.
Water Credit: Financing support for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
LIFT: Innovative loans designed to encourage and support both financial and non-financial initiatives.
ABASON: Housing loans for shelter improvement and habitation support.
RAISE: Promoting the recovery and advancement of informal sector employment and enterprises.
BD WASH: Supporting rural water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives for improved human capital development.
MFCE : The Microenterprise Financing and Credit Enhancement (MFCE) Project supports the sustainable growth of microenterprises by improving access to finance, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to poverty reduction and inclusive economic development in Bangladesh.
AGROSOR SMART: SMART Project promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly microenterprises, particularly in climate-vulnerable areas, while encouraging operational safety standards. Under this project, POPI NGO/MFI is implementing the Leather Products sub-project.
This tiered and responsive approach ensures that POPI is able to support households at every stage of their development journey—from subsistence assistance for the ultra-poor to growth capital for small enterprises—thereby reinforcing sustainable pathways to resilience, dignity, and prosperity.
Savings Schemes
General Savings: A compulsory savings scheme designed for all active members, serving as the foundation of members’ financial portfolios.
Special Savings: A fully flexible scheme that allows members to deposit and withdraw funds at their convenience, providing liquidity while simultaneously encouraging a culture of savings.
SFF (Secured future fund/Term Savings): SFF Monthly for 3, 5,7,10 years. SFF Fixed – One time deposit.
MF Programme Interventions
Group formation and conscientization
Financial services and inclusion
Skill development and capacity building
Employment creation and entrepreneurship development
Value chain development
Women’s empowerment and leadership promotion
