Dhaka Bank PLC and North South University (NSU) launched a co-branded Mastercard Spark Prepaid Card for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The card was unveiled alongside the grand finale of the “Dhaka Bank Presents MarXcellence 2026 Inter-University Digital Marketing Case Competition”, according to a press release.

The two initiatives brought together representatives of Dhaka Bank, North South University, and Mastercard, reflecting their focus on youth development, innovation, and financial inclusion.

The Dhaka Bank–North South University Co-Branded Mastercard Spark Prepaid Card is designed to encourage responsible financial habits among students.

It gives students a secure, convenient way to manage educational, digital, and lifestyle expenses.

The prepaid card offers lifestyle benefits across travel, dining, education, fashion, and technology in Bangladesh and abroad.

Cardholders can also receive discounts and cashback offers on online streaming platforms, entertainment, food delivery services, and ride-sharing apps.

Benefits include cashback on payments for IELTS, SAT, GMAT, and TOEFL examinations, as well as cashback on Star Cineplex cinema tickets.

The card offers up to 5% cashback on streaming platforms including Netflix, Spotify, Chorki, and Hoichoi.

Cardholders can also receive discounts of up to 20% and other benefits at selected restaurants, including Kiva Han; lifestyle brands such as Giordano; and Pathao’s ride-sharing and food-delivery services.

Dhaka Bank Managing Director Osman Ershad Faiz; Deputy Managing Director Md Mostaque Ahmed; and Head of Retail Business HM Mostafizur Rahman attended the event.

NSU Trust Board of Trustees Member Benajir Ahmed and North South University Vice-Chancellor Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury were also present.

Mastercard Lead, Merchant and Commerce Jubaer Hossain represented Mastercard alongside other officials.

Senior officials and representatives of Dhaka Bank, North South University and Mastercard also joined the programme.

Osman Ershad Faiz highlighted the importance of investing in young talent and creating opportunities that connect academic learning with practical industry experience.

He said Dhaka Bank remained committed to supporting the aspirations of young Bangladeshis through initiatives promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, financial awareness, and professional development.

Commenting on the card launch, Mastercard Country Manager, Bangladesh, Zakia Sultana, said students today were digitally connected, ambitious, and increasingly seeking payment services that were secure, convenient, and relevant to their everyday lives.

She said the collaboration would allow students to access benefits across education, entertainment, mobility, and lifestyle spending while helping them build greater financial confidence.

The initiative reflected Mastercard’s continuing commitment to advancing financial inclusion through innovative and accessible payment services for different consumer groups across Bangladesh, she added.

The collaboration between Dhaka Bank, North South University, and Mastercard seeks to combine education, innovation, digital transformation, and financial inclusion to support youth empowerment.

MarXcellence gives students a platform to compete, learn, and develop innovative ideas, while the Spark prepaid card offers a financial tool designed around their needs.

The grand finale and card-launch ceremony concluded with recognition of the participating teams and students for their creativity, strategic thinking, and efforts to develop solutions for the future.