Card Based Transactions Rise 108 Percent in Five Years

Card based transactions are rising in the country. Debit, credit, and prepaid card transactions grew 108 percent over the past five years. The number of cards in use grew 97 percent during the same period. Prepaid cards saw the fastest growth. Bangladesh Bank reported these findings.

The report shows the total number of cards stood at 26,593,479 in August 2021. That number rose to 52,414,497 by July this year. Monthly card transactions rose from 227.887 billion taka to 474.804 billion taka during the same period.

Looking at card types, debit cards grew 36 percent between December 2022 and July this year. Credit cards grew 28 percent. Prepaid cards grew the fastest at 168 percent.

In July this year, Bangladeshi cardholders made transactions worth 9.847 billion taka abroad using credit, debit, and prepaid cards. The total number of transactions reached 1,744,030. Credit card transactions totaled 5.259 billion taka, debit card transactions totaled 4.011 billion taka, and prepaid card transactions totaled 578 million taka. In June, Bangladeshis spent 10.37 billion taka abroad through cards. This marked a 5.05 percent drop over one month.

Department stores saw the highest credit card spending by Bangladeshis abroad. Spending in this sector reached 1.647 billion taka. Retail stores, transport, pharmacies, and clothing stores also saw significant spending.

The United States topped the list of countries for credit card use. Bangladeshis spent 931 million taka on credit cards in the United States in July. Thailand followed with 614 million taka, the United Kingdom with 544 million taka, and Singapore with 396 million taka. The United States also topped debit card spending abroad. Bangladeshis spent 531 million taka on debit cards there in July.

Foreign nationals spent 2.343 billion taka in Bangladesh in July using cards issued abroad. The total number of transactions reached 321,174. This spending stood at 2.415 billion taka in June.

Department stores saw the highest spending by foreign cardholders, reaching 823 million taka. Cash withdrawals totaled 563 million taka, transport totaled 323 million taka, and clothing stores totaled 209 million taka.

The United States led among countries for foreign card use in Bangladesh. Cards issued in the United States saw 516 million taka in transactions in July. India, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore also saw significant transactions.

Bangladesh Bank’s report shows credit card transactions in the country grew 40.24 percent from July 2025 to July 2026. Bangladeshi credit card spending abroad grew 9.71 percent during the same period. Foreign card use in Bangladesh grew 24.14 percent.

Total credit card transactions in the country reached 43.248 billion taka in July. This figure stood at 44.61 billion taka the previous month.

Department stores accounted for the largest share of domestic credit card transactions. Spending in this sector reached 21.76 billion taka in July, making up 50.31 percent of the total. Retail stores saw 4.879 billion taka, utility bill payments saw 3.771 billion taka, and cash withdrawals saw 3.341 billion taka.

Visa remained the most used card network for domestic credit card transactions. Visa card transactions reached 32.977 billion taka in July, making up 76.25 percent of the total. Mastercard transactions reached 6.659 billion taka, and Amex transactions reached 3.459 billion taka.

Bangladesh Bank data shows 48 banks and one non bank financial institution had approved credit card limits totaling 433.29 billion taka as of July. Outstanding loans against these limits stood at 145.88 billion taka.

Bangladesh Bank’s analysis says rising card use points to growing financial inclusion and a expanding digital economy. Card use is rising in shopping, bill payments, transport, government services, and international transactions.

However, limited digital infrastructure in rural areas remains a challenge. Gaps in financial literacy, cyber security, fraud, and transaction costs also remain major concerns. Bangladesh Bank believes stronger security measures and greater customer awareness will further expand card based transactions.