Impact Report 2025

Empowering
Bangladesh's Underbanked.

Bangladesh has over 7.8 million small retail businesses. Most have never accessed formal credit. Hishabee exists to change that.

“Hishabee enables small businesses to operate with dignity, scale with confidence, and participate in the digital economy on their own terms.”

1M+

Merchants reached

Across Bangladesh's retail communities.

65.74%

of our users are underbanked

Measured across 502 surveyed users, 2025 impact study.

57 min

saved per bookkeeping session

Users reported over 50% reduction in time spent on records.

1,219%

increase in supply line financing

Among surveyed users who accessed financing through Hishabee.

The Problem

A $2.8 Billion Financing Gap

†Source: IFC MSME Finance Gap Report

Bangladesh's micro and small retailers face a structural financing gap estimated at $2.8 billion. Most informal businesses are excluded from traditional credit entirely — forced to rely on moneylenders or go without.

Excluded from formal banking

Banks require collateral, documentation, and minimum loan sizes that the average corner-store owner simply cannot meet.

Debt cycles from moneylenders

Without formal alternatives, many resort to moneylenders at exploitative rates, trapping them in cycles of debt.

No credit history

Informal businesses have no financial records that banks can assess, making them invisible to the formal system.

Stock shortages hurt growth

Inability to finance inventory at the right moment means lost sales, lost customers, and stunted business growth.

Impact Indicators 2025

The Numbers Behind Our Impact

Measured across 502 active subscribers in our 2025 impact study.

50%+

Time Saved

Users reported cutting bookkeeping time by more than half, saving an average of 57 minutes per session.

64.54%

Perceived Affordability

64.54% of users rated Hishabee as low-cost, citing transparency and reduced operating overhead.

65.74%

Financially Excluded

65.74% of Hishabee's users are underbanked retailers who had no prior access to formal finance.

Impact Stories

In Their Own Words

From our 2025 survey of 601 users across Bangladesh.

“

Before Hishabee, I spent hours every week managing stock and payments. Now with everything digital, I save time and when I need goods, I get them financed and delivered directly to my store. No collateral, no hidden terms. That is real support.

Shihab Zakaria

Basila, Mohammadpur

“

Banks never felt accessible to me. Too much paperwork and too many conditions. With Hishabee, I did not need to take cash loans. They delivered the products I needed, directly. I could focus on selling, not stressing.

Shahadat Limon

Bhola, Barishal

Global Goals

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty

Collateral-free, affordable financing helps micro-retailers avoid exploitative moneylenders and reduce financial vulnerability.

Gender Equality

Tracking and targeting women-led underbanked retailers supports female economic participation in Bangladesh.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Boosting digital adoption and enabling supply chain access drives inclusive economic growth for informal businesses.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Digital record-keeping and data-driven tools tailored for MSMEs in underserved markets.

Reduced Inequalities

Bringing formal financial services to businesses that have historically been excluded from the credit system.

Partners and Collaborators

Building Impact Together

Hishabee works alongside development organizations, impact investors, and financial institutions to reach merchants in underserved communities.

Read the Full Impact Report

Our 2025 impact report covers methodology, survey findings, case studies, and SDG alignment in full detail.

Download Impact Report 2025

EmpoweringBangladesh's Underbanked.