Centre for Fintech & Strategic Business Research (CFSBR)
Empowering Financial Horizons through Strategic Intelligence.
Data-Driven Financial Intelligence
Bridging Economics, Engineering, Strategic Business, and Policy to build inclusive, scalable fintech solutions for the Global South.
Our Mission
To decode the complexities of emerging economies through data-driven research and provide actionable fintech strategies that foster financial inclusion and sustainable growth.
Our Vision
To become the premier hybrid think-tank and innovation lab where the future of inclusive finance is designed for Bangladesh and beyond.
About CFSBR
The Centre for Fintech & Strategic Business Research (CFSBR) is a hybrid research firm and think-tank operating at the critical intersection of Economics (The Context), Engineering (The Backbone), Business Strategy (The Sustainability), and Law & Policy (The Framework). We turn academic rigor into market-ready intelligence for banks, fintechs, and policymakers.
Hybrid Intelligence
Synthesizing technical depth with strategic business insight.
Data-First
Grounding every recommendation in measurable, empirical evidence.
Scalability
Designing solutions for millions—built to expand sustainably.
Ethical Innovation
Prioritizing inclusion, transparency & responsible financial design.
Core Values
Guiding principles for responsible, scalable fintech intelligence
Hybrid Intelligence
Integrating economics, engineering & strategy for actionable insight.
Data-First
Evidence over assumption—analytics drive every decision.
Scalability
Designing solutions built to grow across markets & segments.
Ethical Innovation
Championing inclusion, transparency & sustainable transformation.
What We Do
Bridging the gap between data, technology, and policy to deliver actionable financial intelligence.
Deep-Dive Market Intelligence
Going beyond traditional surveys: we use data science and economic modeling to analyze consumer behavior, inflation trends, and digital adoption patterns in emerging markets—delivering the raw data banks and foreign investors need.
Startup Blueprint & MVP Design
A comprehensive launchpad for fintech founders: we design sustainable business models, map technical architectures (Engineering), and validate concepts before market entry to reduce failure risk.
Regulatory & Policy Advisory
Navigating financial regulations with confidence: we align innovations with Central Bank guidelines and legal frameworks to ensure compliance, safety, and long-term viability.
Corporate Training & Capacity Building
Hands-on workshops to bridge the skill gap: Financial Data Analytics (SPSS/Python), Research Methodology, and Fintech Fundamentals for students and professionals.
R&D as a Service
Your external innovation lab: we handle product research, feasibility testing, and impact analysis—delivering innovation faster and more efficiently for banks and NGOs.
Fintech Fellowship
Nurturing the next generation of thought leaders through a structured mentorship program where undergraduate researchers work on live projects—bridging academic theory and industry application.
Featured Intelligence
Transforming raw data into strategic insights: delivering market intelligence, technical innovations, and policy frameworks that drive financial inclusion and sustainable growth across emerging markets.
CFSBR Market Intelligence
Data-driven reports on trends, consumer behavior, and economic indicators. Our market intelligence combines primary research, statistical analysis, and on-ground surveys to reveal infrastructure gaps, adoption barriers, and emerging opportunities in fintech ecosystems. Essential reading for banks, fintech operators, and investors seeking actionable insights into Bangladesh's digital finance landscape.
The State of Digital Credit in Sylhet: 2025 Outlook
Survey analysis of 50+ merchants revealing infrastructure gaps and trust barriers in digital payments—essential data for banks and fintech operators.
Rural Banking Penetration: Infrastructure vs Demand Analysis
Comprehensive mapping of 15 rural zones analyzing the correlation between physical branch presence and mobile banking adoption rates.
Consumer Sentiment on Digital Lending: Trust Index 2025
Quantitative analysis of 500+ borrower interviews measuring trust levels, risk perception, and willingness to adopt app-based micro-loans.
CFSBR White Paper Series
Technical deep-dives proposing specific solutions to complex financial problems. These papers present innovative algorithms, frameworks, and technological architectures designed to address critical challenges in financial inclusion. From alternative credit scoring models to blockchain implementations, each white paper offers rigorous methodology and practical implementation pathways for fintech innovators and product teams.
Alternative Credit Scoring for Unbanked Farmers
Novel algorithm using mobile usage data and harvest cycles to assess creditworthiness without traditional collateral requirements.
Blockchain for MFS: Scalability & Security Framework
Technical blueprint for implementing distributed ledger technology in mobile financial services while maintaining regulatory compliance.
AI-Driven Fraud Detection in Nano-Loan Ecosystems
Machine learning model trained on 10,000+ transaction patterns to identify fraudulent loan applications with 94% accuracy.
CFSBR Strategic Case Series
Real-world analysis of business strategy, success, and failure. Through detailed post-mortems and retrospective studies, we dissect the strategic decisions behind market entries, pivots, and competitive battles in Bangladesh's fintech sector. These narratives extract actionable lessons on customer acquisition, product strategy, and market positioning—invaluable for founders, strategists, and business leaders navigating competitive landscapes.
Nagad vs bKash: The Battle for Rural Dominance
How aggressive pricing (cashout charges) and simplified KYC helped new entrants capture rural market share from established players.
Why Pathao Pay Failed: Lessons in User Retention
Post-mortem analysis of a ride-sharing giant's fintech expansion failure—examining user trust, feature bloat, and network effects.
BRAC Bank's Agent Banking Revolution: A Decade Later
10-year retrospective on how agent banking transformed rural access—analyzing profitability, sustainability, and replication challenges.
CFSBR Policy Perspectives
Strategic recommendations for regulators and legal compliance frameworks. Our policy briefs analyze existing regulatory environments, identify gaps in consumer protection, and propose pragmatic amendments to balance innovation with security. Designed for policymakers, legal teams, and compliance officers, these documents bridge the gap between technological advancement and regulatory oversight in digital finance.
Regulatory Framework for Nano-Loans: Risks & Opportunities
Three critical amendments to protect nano-loan borrowers from predatory rates while ensuring lender recovery security.
Data Privacy in MFS: Balancing Innovation & Consumer Rights
Policy recommendations for data governance in mobile financial services—aligning with global GDPR standards while enabling innovation.
Open Banking for Bangladesh: Readiness Assessment
Feasibility study examining technical, regulatory, and market readiness for implementing open banking standards in Bangladesh.
Academic Contributions (External Validation)
Our rigorous research accepted in prestigious international journals and conferences. Each publication undergoes peer review, ensuring methodological soundness and academic integrity. These contributions validate CFSBR's commitment to evidence-based research while establishing credibility within scholarly communities. From behavioral studies to macroeconomic analysis, our academic work demonstrates the depth and rigor behind our applied research initiatives.
bKash's AI-Driven Nano Loans: Advancing Sustainable Microfinance in Bangladesh
Proceeding Coming Soon
Microfinance-Enabled Solar Home Systems in Rural Bangladesh: Assessing Socio-Economic Impact for Sustainable Energy Policy
View Proceeding
Exploring Mobile Financial Services (MFS) Adoption and Basic Financial Literacy Among Market Merchants in Sylhet
View Proceeding
Our Team
CFSBR Unified Dual-Wing Hierarchy - Four disciplines working together in research and execution
Level 01: Advisory Board
Strategic Mentorship & Academic Credibility
Professor of Economics
Academic Advisor
EconomicsProfessor of Finance
Academic Advisor
FinanceProfessor of CSE
Academic Advisor
CSEProfessor of Law
Academic Advisor
LawLevel 02: Senior Fellows (Industry & Research)
The Bridge between Theory and Market
Senior Banking Executive
Industry Fellow
FinanceSenior Technology Executive
Industry Fellow
CSESenior Legal Executive
Industry Fellow
LawWing A: Research & Intelligence (The Academic Core)
Theoretical Logic, Empirical Analysis, and Regulatory Frameworks
Research Leads (L3): Final Year & Graduates
Economics Research Lead
Research Lead
EconomicsLegal Research Lead
Research Lead
LawCSE Research Lead
Research Lead
CSEResearch Associates (L4): 1st to 3rd Year
Economic & Finance Analyst
Research Associate
EconomicsEconomic & Finance Analyst
Research Associate
FinanceComputational Researcher
Research Associate
CSEWing B: Strategic Business & Innovation (The Execution Core)
Product Development, Business Modeling, and Market Entry
Innovation & Tech Leads (L3)
Innovation Lead
Innovation Lead
CSEInnovation Lead
Innovation Lead
FinanceInnovation Lead
Innovation Lead
LawInnovation Associates (L4): 1st to 3rd Year
Business Strategist
Innovation Associate
EconomicsBusiness Strategist
Innovation Associate
FinanceFintech Engineer
Innovation Associate
CSELevel 05: Founding Board & Secretariat (The Foundation)
Visionary Infrastructure & Multidisciplinary Integration
Md Golam Mubasshir Rafi
Founding Member
Business Administration
Afshara Tasneem Zoa
Founding Member
Computer Science and EngineeringWant to publish your research with us?
Partner with CFSBR
Let's solve national challenges together through data-driven innovation
For Students
Join as a Fellow
Learn research methodology, data analytics, and fintech innovation with hands-on mentorship.
- Structured mentorship program
- Real-world project experience
- Publication opportunities
For Startups
Hire Us for Strategy
Build your MVP with data-backed insights, market intelligence, and validated business models.
- Market opportunity analysis
- Business model validation
- Strategic consultancy
For Partners
Collaborate on Policy
Work with us on policy advocacy, financial inclusion initiatives, and national development projects.
- Policy research & advocacy
- Joint research initiatives
- Knowledge partnerships