**7. Conclusion**

This chapter investigated the relationship between board structure and CSR spending by commercial banks listed on DSE in Bangladesh, covering the period 2007–2020. Also, we reviewed CSR policies for the banks and explored the pattern of CSR expenditures by banks over the same period (2007–2020). Finally, we applied the ordinary least square regression model by clustering banks and years and utilized some firm-specific variables as controls to obtain efficient estimates.

Our empirical results confirm that board elements, such as board size and independence are significantly and positively associated with CSR spending by banks. By contrast, female director tends to inhibit CSR spending by banks, and the frequency of board meetings has no connection with the same. Furthermore, for firm-specific factors, we confirm that bank size and leverage positively and significantly influence the CSR spending of commercial banks in Bangladesh, suggesting that larger banks are incremental to promoting CSR spending. In addition, we note that CSR spending by banks has significantly increased over the study period (2007–2020). However, the sectoral distribution of CSR funds has been somewhat heterogeneous in areas, such as environmental pollution, education, health, gender equality, and other humanitarian activities. Simultaneously, Bangladesh Bank has taken significant measures to improve banks' CSR spending and ensure control thereon. One of such measures is to publish CSR activities on a half-yearly basis to ensure the proper use of CSR funds. Additionally, Bangladesh bank has prescribed priority areas for CSR activities for banks in recent times to enhance both stakeholders' welfare and economic growth.
