Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now being considered as an acceptable tool all over the world to promote equitable and sustainable development, maintain consistent higher growth of the economy, decrease the inequality of a society and mitigate environmental degradation. In this context, Bank Asia PLC., being involved in its CSR activities, is aligned in maximizing its values through better risk management, employee loyalty and reputation. Bangladesh Bank issued SFD Circular No: 01 dated 09.01.2022 regarding Policy Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility for Banks and Financial Institutions which is the ultimate guiding principle in designing Bank Asia’s CSR roadmap.

CSR is both short and long term time bound strategy to achieve a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives (Triple Bottom Line Approach). CSR is not only philanthropy but also does it address the key sustainable development challenges through actionable programs and community investments to a considerable extent. CSR is to reduce all forms of poverty, inequality, social exclusion, improve the quality of food and healthcare availability and living standards of vulnerable groups of the society for sustainable and equitable development of the country. Corporate Social Responsibility is a corporation's initiatives to assess and take responsibility for the company's effects on environmental and social wellbeing.

Bank Asia does not only consider its surroundings as a means of making profit; rather it introduces its presence to the society as a responsible corporate citizen whose core focus is to add value to the society. Bank Asia, being fully aware of its obligations and responsibilities from the very beginning, has been highlighting CSR activities as a part of its culture, identity as well as business practices and aims to ensure contributions towards quality of life of the people in the society at large without compromising an ecological balance and in compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards and national or international norms.

Corporate Social Responsibility is an essential part of Bank Asia’s business strategy. Its innumerable clients and the society at large expect highest standard of ethics, social value, professionalism and corporate behavior from Bank Asia and its employees. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program runs with the aforementioned philosophies which are framed by the Board of Directors of our Bank. At Bank Asia, employees work with a greater mission and with the motivation to contribute to the Bank’s social initiatives in the sectors like education, health, environment & climate change mitigations & adaptations, income generating activities, disaster management, infrastructure development, sports & culture, socially responsible financing (SRF) under CSR, women empowerment and others.

From January 2022 to December 2023, Bank Asia has donated an amount of Tk.563.76 million in different sectors to more than 250,000 individual beneficiaries and a number of others through different projects/events.

To help and assist the poorer and distressed people of the society Bank Asia Foundation, a voluntary and non-profit organization, was formed to conduct CSR activities on behalf of Bank Asia Limited. Being a responsible corporate citizen, investing in activities for the betterment of society has been at the forefront of what we do.

Bank Asia Foundation (BAF) was inaugurated in 2017 with an aim to performing various CSR activities, especially investment in the health sector. With that goal, BAF set up a modern 250 bed Hospital at Malkhanagar, Sirajdikhan, Munshigonj and Medical College on 723 decimal land (donated by Mr. A. Rouf Chowdhury, former Chairman of Bank Asia and BAF). Bank Asia-Ma Amiran Hospital and Diagnostic Centre started its operation from September, 2019 with one X-ray machine, one ultra-sonogram, one ECG machine, laboratory equipment and required manpower. The Diagnostic Centre is of high standard and it is fully equipped to carry out all types of tests and examinations including x-ray, ultra sonogram and ECG. Besides, OPD (Out Patient Department) is also in operation since September, 2019 and there are Consultants and Doctors who render consultation services to the patients on regular basis. There is also a model pharmacy under the name of Bank Asia-Ma Amiran Model Pharmacy.

Since September, 2019 to June, 2023 a number of 61,661 patients got treatment, 40,913 investigations were made and a revenue of Tk.21.50 million has been generated.

A new proposed 50 bed hospital of Bank Asia-Ma Amiran Hospital and Diagnostic Centre is being set up in the first and second floors along with existing 3 storied building with a total area of 26,000 sft (approx) donated by former Chairman of the Bank Mr. A. Rouf Chowdhury. All the work has already been done and now, it is waiting for obtaining license from DGHS. As soon as the license is obtained, it will go into operation.

As part of the “Bank Asia Higher Studies Scholarship Program”, BAF disbursed scholarship to 388 students till December 2023.

The activities of the BAF, amongst others, are as follows:

• Providing treatment facilities through hospitals, clinics, medical & eye camps;
• Giving scholarship to the well deserving students;
• Distributions of blankets & warm cloths among the needy people;
• Providing monetary & other support for the relief of affected by calamities such as food, fire, famine, cyclone & other natural calamities;
• Promoting educational, scientific, religious & social activities/organizations;
• Other similar charitable activities.