Talk:BKash

Area Served & Valuation of bKash

Hello Niaz, bKash is currently operating only in Bangladesh and not any other country. Hence, it is important to mention the Area in "Bangladesh" only.

Also, bKash is currently valued at $2 Billion. So it is also important to update the part on the first section. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 19:14, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Also, I have added Citation Needed on the Services part. It says bKash provides only Payment service, however, it is a Mobile Financial Service.

Reference: https://www.bb.org.bd/fnansys/paymentsys/mfs_provider.pdf

(The above reference is from the Bangladesh Bank official website where it says bKash is a mobile financial service and not a payment service) Sakib.mahboob (talk) 20:06, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Could you kindly provide a reference that confirms bKash's operations are limited to Bangladesh? - Niaz^{(Talk • Contribs)} 21:31, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Hi Niaz, thank you for sharing your thoughts. The reference links below speaks of bKash and it's operations only for the people of Bangladesh:

1. https://sturgeoncapital.com/bkash-bangladesh/ (On the second segment it says bKash targets 165 Million people of Bangladesh. Also, at the end of the segment it is stated "bKash can be accessed via all the mobile networks operating in Bangladesh." Also, on the third segment where of "What is bKash?" it is stated that bKash is a Mobile FinTech in Bangladesh operating under Bangladesh Bank. They also stated "bKash provides secure, convenient, and easy ways to make payments and money transfer services via mobile phones to both the unbanked and the banked people of Bangladesh.")
2. https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Case_Study_-bKash.pdf(Another reference, where it says, "bKash is a mobile money system in Bangladesh operating under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh Central Bank")
3. https://www.thedailystar.net/the-story-of-bkash-21235?amp (Here is says, bKash, a subsidiary of BRAC Bank, provides safe, convenient and easy ways to make payments and money transfer services via mobile phones to both the unbanked and the banked people of Bangladesh.)

Hope this helps understand the operation of bKash. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 04:29, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

Here is another reference:

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/nz9zvi09x8 (Here it is stated: "The MFS service providing establishments are licenced by Bangladesh Bank. According to the regulations, all the transactions take place within Bangladesh and so there is no chance of money leaving the country via MFS." by Sheikh Md. Monirul Islam, Cheif External & Corporate Affairs Officer, bKash Limited) Sakib.mahboob (talk) 05:50, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

It's a good reference indicating that bKash operates within Bangladesh only. Hence, the mention of the worldwide operation in the infobox is wrong and needs correction. — Niaz^{(Talk • Contribs)} 07:51, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

A payment service is a subset of financial services. But financial services itself is way more than just making the payment. If there are references that bKash offers anything beyond making payments, the phrase can be changed to financial services. What else bKash is providing in addition to a convenent payment system? — Niaz^{(Talk • Contribs)} 07:48, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

bKash is providing way more services than payment only. Some of the most used bKash services are: send money, mobile recharge, cash-in, cash-out, pay-bill, salary disbursement, merchant payment, education payment, remittance and so on. Also, as bKash can be used from our Mobile Devices through App and USSD, it is termed as "Mobile Financial Service" (Source from Bangladesh Bank where bKash is termed as a Mobile Financial Service: https://www.bb.org.bd/fnansys/paymentsys/mfs_provider.pdf)

The following link describes bKash's services in the market which is not limited to Payment only:

1. https://mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Session-II-Huda-bKash.pdf .
2. https://ku.ac.bd/discipline/uploads/offered-course-material/bKash%20Limited.pdf
3. https://www.bkash.com/en/products-services

Thus, it is essential to term bKash as a "Mobile Financial Service" instead of "Payment Service" Sakib.mahboob (talk) 12:32, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

It is absolutely NOT "essential" to term BKash anything, we are not here to promote them in any way shape or form. Theroadislong (talk) 12:41, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

Understandable.

By terming them, I meant, the Services information on the Infobox section should be updated to "Mobile Financial Service" from "Payment Service" as currently it is not stating the correct information. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 17:32, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

Absolutely agree with this. By the laws of Bangladesh, bKash is stated as a Mobile Financial Service by the regulator itself. Also, it provides services more than just Payment and I believe the articles above states the same. Ishtiaque.shahriar (talk) 11:30, 2 May 2023 (UTC)

Hello @Sakib.mahboob thanks for the edits. as it appears, the article is still depicting Bkash Limited as mobile service(MS) whereas, Bkash Limited is a "Mobile Financial Service (MFS)" provider which it is in conflict with the policy of regulation imposed by the Bangladesh Bank. [1]. Therefore, it would be much appreciated if the necessary edits are made and implemented as soon as possible. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 11:12, 9 July 2023 (UTC)

Thanks @OniruddhoSaadi for pointing this out. It seems the information on the infobox has been placed negatively yet again. Currently it shows bKash is a Payment Service & Mobile Telephony, which is not correct as per the guidelines and regulations. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 04:37, 10 July 2023 (UTC)

Hello Niaz, on a recent interview of Kamal Quadir the Founder & CEO of bKash Limited, he stated that bKash is now a $2B valuation company. Also, this was published on MIT Sloan's official website: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/alumni/bkash-founder-and-ceo-transformative-impact-financial-inclusion

Hence, the valuation part of bKash should be updated to $2B from $1B. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 12:25, 11 May 2023 (UTC)

Hi @Sakib.mahboob

in the given article, the valuation of bKash is still being shown as $1B which has currently been raised up to $2B. [2] OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 19:36, 9 July 2023 (UTC)

@Sakib.mahboob I agree with your reasoning, I have also read the given documents and believe that this should be changed.[3]https://mitsloan.mit.edu/alumni/bkash-founder-and-ceo-transformative-impact-financial-inclusion Alvi Nagib (talk) 07:05, 13 July 2023 (UTC)

bKash Updated Board of Director

Hello @Theroadislong, the Board of Director list mentioned on the article is not upto date and lacks proper information which will give the readers a wrong perception and knowledge. Here is the updated bKash Board of Director list along with their positions which is found from their official website (https://www.bkash.com/en/about):

Shameran Abed, Chairman

Selim Reza Farhad Hussain, Director

Meheriar M. Hasan, Director

Asif Saleh, Director

Fahima Choudhury, Director

Nicholas Hughes, Director

Shinya Yoshino, Director

Guoming Cheng, Director

Jason Park, Director

Chris Lee, Director

Anita Ghazi Rahman, Director

Douglas Feagin, Director

Dr. Jamaluddin Ahmed, FCA, Director

Gregory C. Chen, Director

It is important to update this part on the article. Let's discuss if you have any queries. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 19:55, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Another referece that says about the board of director: https://theorg.com/org/bkash/org-chart/selim-reza-farhad-hussain Sakib.mahboob (talk) 20:10, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Is there any third party reliable sources giving the names of the board members? — Niaz^{(Talk • Contribs)} 21:43, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

Hi Niaz, please check the link below for the details of bKash Board members:

https://theorg.com/org/bkash/org-chart/selim-reza-farhad-hussain Sakib.mahboob (talk) 06:02, 1 May 2023 (UTC)

Citation needed for Services & Board of Director

Please do not cancel the edit, let's talk why the Citation is needed for the sevices part on the Infobox section and the Board of Director Para Sakib.mahboob (talk) 20:01, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

I appreciate your effort to improve this article. However, due to WP:Verifiability, it is necessary that articles have inline citations for any material challenged or likely to be challenged. — Niaz^{(Talk • Contribs)} 21:37, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

freelancing payment method

how can i create a freelancing payment method account at bkash? 103.242.20.246 (talk) 06:07, 3 May 2023 (UTC)

01875764264 119.30.41.62 (talk) 18:11, 1 June 2023 (UTC)

History & Service Offered

In the history section of this Article, there has been misinformation on the services it provides which states as it's services as:

Prepaid Package Value added service Music service WELCOME TUNE Caller tunes VOICE TUBE Robi radio MUSIC station Amar goongoon Airtel tune Local Express Amar Goongoon Dhamaka Discount offer AMAR TUNE MUSIC RADIO Information Serivice Sports Service News service Health line Stock information Blink line Study line Easy Menu

The services mentioned above are not the most accurate depiction of the services bKash Limited provides to their consumers. Rather, the actual services that they offer are;

Add Money, Cash out, Mobile Recharge, Payment, Add Money, Pay Bill, Savings, Loan, bKash to Bank, Remittance, Education Fees, Microfinance, Donation & Insurance.

As majority of these actually provided services are not in coherence with the services mentioned above, they are nothing more than a mere infectious practice and misinformation spreading and should be deleted and updated immediately. To further confirm the legitimacy of the services provided by the bKash Limited, I am referring their official website to reaffirm the actual services provided and properly discrediting the mentioned ones in the article. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 11:38, 9 July 2023 (UTC)

@OniruddhoSaadi this services which are highlighted are not offered by bKash but offered by other telecom companies so this section should be removed. [4]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307780364_Existing_and_Expected_Service_Quality_of_Grameenphone_Users_in_Bangladesh Alvi Nagib (talk) 08:39, 13 July 2023 (UTC)

Hello @Alvi Nagib Thank you for your inputs. That is exactly what I was trying to point out through out the discussion. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 08:52, 13 July 2023 (UTC)

References

Information Discrepancy in About Section

Hi @Sakib.mahboob

In the above section of this article on Bkash Limited, it has been stated that;

'bKash users can deposit money into their mobile accounts and then access a range of services. In particular, transferring and receiving money domestically and making payments. FnF Tariff Plans Internet package & Value Added Service like mobile recharge or paying utility bills Intermational Romaing Customer Serivce are also possible through bKash USSD (*247#) Bkash SMS 1247 numbers and bKash App.'

There has been several discrepancies in this given article. firstly, bKash users do not deposit money in their mobile accounts rather they open an account on the bKash platform with their national ID card and other necessary information and "Add Money" into the accounts that they have on the platform.[5]

Secondly, bKash is a mobile financial Service (MFS) provider; therefore, they provide more services other than making payments and transferring money. Such as, Send Money, pay Bills, Savings, Loans, Bank to bKash, Education Fees, Microfinance, Donation, Cash Out, payment, Add Money, Remittance & Insurance.[6] Hence, terming bKash just an payment and Transferring Money service provider is such an illegitimate way of depicting the organisation. Furthermore, bKash do not offer FnF tariffs plans or internet package or any sorts of value added services such as international roaming. This directly violets the core construction of organisation which is heavily regulated by the Bangladesh Bank. [7] Rather, such services are offered by the organisations which operates in the Telco industries in Bangladesh.

Thirdly, the bKash SMS number has also been falsely presented. The correct SMS number of bKash is 16247. [8]

As these discrepancies greatly hamper the image and reputation of an industry leading organisation, they are immediately required to be updated for the goodwill of the organisation, easier access of correct information for the consumers as well as the researchers. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 19:32, 9 July 2023 (UTC)

Thank you @OniruddhoSaadi for pointing this out. Can you share some relatable reference links apart from their own website through which we can understand your points better? Sakib.mahboob (talk) 04:39, 10 July 2023 (UTC)

Hello @Sakib.mahboob Thank you for your request of clarification. I am adding some more reference in in addition to the actual references that I have provided with the original post.

On the procedure of opening a bKash account [9]

On the actual services that bKash provides [10]

And some other relevant links are

[11][12]

I hope these article would satisfy all your confusions and clarify the answers you were looking for. Again, much appreciated. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 05:20, 10 July 2023 (UTC)

please provide more legitimate sources for the services that bKash provides @Oniruddhosadi. Alvi Nagib (talk) 05:56, 13 July 2023 (UTC)

Hello @Alvi Nagib. Thanks for your comments. in response to your query, I am referencing to some more additional paper. do take a look at it [13] OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 06:00, 13 July 2023 (UTC)

Sponsorship

As this section has been updated, not sufficient information has been provided with it. therefore, this particular section does not add any significant value. henceforth, either it is requested to add all the necessary information regarding it or just remove it all together.

OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 06:20, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

brief Introduction

As the article progresses there is no short summary which illustrates a brief introduction for what bKash is and how it operates. As having a brief is immensely essential as it depicts the short version of this long paragraph. therefore, I suggest to have one added immediately. furthermore, I would also suggest a draft of how this short summary could fit the wikipedia page of bKash Limited.

bKash Limited is a Mobile Financial Service (MFS) provider of Bangladesh with the aspiration of bringing financial inclusion to the unbanked population of Bangladesh. bKash began its operation on the 21st June of 2011 and received its license from Bangladesh Bank on 12th April of 2010.[14] Initially, the company started with offering simple money transfer facilities through the USSD (*247#) with the convenience of a mobile phone.[15] Later on, it added more services such as bank to bKash money transfer, mobile recharge, utility bill payments, savings schemes, digital nano loans, remittance, education fees, microfinance services, donation and insurance.[16] Since its inception, bKash has become a household name through conducting fast, easy and secure transactions.

As of August 2023, bKash has acquired over 70 million verified customers and to cater this gigantic pool of customers, it has set up a network of 330,000 agents [17], 550,000 merchants throughout the entire country. Furthermore, it has also established 293 customer care service points [18] which is also aided by the 24/7 call center (16247) and email and live chat facilities. In 2018, bKash Limited launched its app on Android and IOS platform which is currently being used by one third of overall bKash users.

06/APSDJ%20Vol.%2029%2C%20No.%201%2C%20May%202022-pp143-167_Rev.pdf] OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 06:32, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

in the report that stated the number of transactions, it does not speecify 12M transactions, rather it states 10M. It would be very helpful if you could provide a more legitimate source of your claim. thank you. @OniruddhoSaadi Syeda Umaima Liha (talk) 08:18, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

Can you provide more valid reference of the dates of operational inauguration and acquiring license? Thank you. Isratshoshi (talk) 08:25, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

Hi @Isratshoshi, thank you for your comment. I am attaching another reference which further clarifies my claim. Please dfo check it out. thank you [19] OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 09:04, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

Hello @Syeda Umaima Liha, Thank you for pointing that out. Since the report mentions 10M, this data is inaccurate and will be removed immediately. thank you. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 09:01, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

Hello @OniruddhoSaadi, can you provide more reference on the number of customer, agent and distributor at your convenience. thanks Alvi Nagib (talk) 11:08, 3 September 2023 (UTC)

Hello @Alvi Nagib thank you for your concern. I am adding some more reference to your queries. I hope you will have a chance to look at them and they will satisfy your confusions.

[20][21][22]

Thank you for your comment. OniruddhoSaadi (talk) 09:51, 4 September 2023 (UTC)

thank you for your reference. the articles clarified my query. Alvi Nagib (talk) 10:00, 4 September 2023 (UTC)

Ownership Model

Hello everyone! Since we are talking about bKash along with it's inception & services, I think it will be good if we can give the readers an idea about the shareholders or the ownership model of the company. I have looked into several articles for the list of BoDs or Ownership structure and wrote the below write-up for a clarification:

bKash was established in 2010 as a joint venture between Money in Motion LLC—an American company that invests in start-ups that advance financial inclusion—and BRAC Bank, [23] [24] International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group became an equity partner in 2013 [25]. Gradually, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation invested in bKash in 2014 [26] [27] Ant Group (formerly known as Ant Financial) [28], an affiliate of the globally reputed Alibaba Group, became an investor in 2018. After a decade of continuous growth, SoftBank [29], the world’s largest technology investment fund, invested in bKash in 2021, which was a first for any Bangladeshi company.

Will be great if we can share our thoughts and insights on this. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 06:16, 5 September 2023 (UTC)

Hi @Sakib.mahboob can yuou provide me with a more thorough list of all the stakeholers of bKash and can you also provide references on the equity ownership percentage of each stakeholders? Thanks. 202.134.14.134 (talk) 06:42, 5 September 2023 (UTC)

Hi, thanks for your comment. I have mentioned the names of the stakeholders above. I am sharing the list below for everyone to understand better:

1. BRAC Bank
2. Money in Motion LLC
3. International Finance Corporation (IFC)
4. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
5. Ant Group
6. SoftBank

Apparently, I have not found any article that states the equity ownership percentage of bKash's stakeholders. So I believe it is better to avoid this information. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 08:10, 5 September 2023 (UTC)

I heard Bkash has been announced as Bangladesh's first unicorn. Shouldn't that be mentioned in the suggested section? Please provide some reference on this too. 202.134.14.134 (talk) 10:38, 5 September 2023 (UTC)

Absolutely. Thank you for pointing this out. With such a rich profile of stakeholders, bKash became the first Unicorn in Bangladesh. Back in 2021, through several articles I found that, Bangladesh witnessed bKash becoming its first unicorn — a startup having a valuation worth $1 billion.[30]

A company with wide range of Financial Services & providing financial inclusion to millions of people, currently stands as the first Unicorn. [31] Sakib.mahboob (talk) 05:48, 7 September 2023 (UTC)

Hence, along with the writeup above, I am addding a line that says:

With that, Bangladesh witnessed bKash as the first-ever unicorn of Bangladesh with a valuation of $2B. Sakib.mahboob (talk) 08:37, 7 September 2023 (UTC)