Guardian BRAC Bima recognized for protecting 1.22 crore people and strengthening the financial resilience of underserved households across Bangladesh
[Dhaka, July 19, 2026] Guardian Life Insurance Limited has been named the ‘Most Sustainable Financial Institution of the Year – Insurance’ at the SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026 for the impact of Guardian BRAC Bima—an inclusive insurance initiative designed to ensure that the loss of a loved one does not leave a low-income family burdened with debt.
Organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum and Sustainable Brand Initiative under the Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, the awards recognize initiatives making measurable contributions towards advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Launched in 2015 through a partnership between Guardian Life and BRAC, Guardian BRAC Bima embeds insurance protection within BRAC’s microfinance ecosystem. Today, it operates through nearly 3,300 BRAC branches across all 64 districts and protects approximately 1.22 crore people, including borrowers and their eligible spouses. Most beneficiaries are women from low-income households participating in BRAC’s microfinance programme.
For families with limited financial safeguards, the death of an earning member can create a second crisis alongside the personal loss. Outstanding loan obligations may become an additional burden, placing the household’s savings, livelihood and future at risk. Guardian BRAC Bima addresses this vulnerability by settling covered loan liabilities, helping families avoid inheriting debt at one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The scale of claims settlement reflects the initiative’s tangible impact. In 2025 alone, Guardian BRAC Bima settled 39,243 claims amounting to approximately BDT 241.96 crore, providing timely financial protection to thousands of families across the country. Since its inception in 2015, the initiative has settled claims worth approximately BDT 1,415 crore.
Commenting on the recognition, Sheikh Rakibul Karim, FCA, Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Life Insurance Limited, said, “This recognition belongs to every family whose future has been protected through Guardian BRAC Bima. For a low-income household, the loss of a loved one can quickly become a financial crisis. Together with BRAC, we have worked to ensure that families are not left to carry the additional burden of debt during such a difficult time. We remain committed to extending meaningful insurance protection to more underserved communities across Bangladesh.”
Guardian BRAC Bima contributes directly to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. With women representing the majority of beneficiaries, the initiative also strengthens the financial security and resilience of women-led and low-income households.
This year, the SDG Brand Champion Awards received 472 nominations across 19 categories. Following a multi-stage evaluation by seven grand jury panels comprising 27 experts, 59 initiatives were recognized for demonstrating measurable contributions to sustainable development in Bangladesh.
