Business & Finance

Card Issuance in Bangladesh Rises 96% to 5.29 Crore by August 2026

By Star Business Report

Card issuance in Bangladesh has risen 96 percent, reaching 5.29 crore in August 2026 from 2.7 crore in September 2021, according to a report by Bangladesh Bank titled “An Overview of Card Usage Patterns Within and Outside Bangladesh.” The total transaction amount through cards increased 103 percent over the same period, from Tk 24,561 crore to Tk 49,770 crore. Prepaid cards grew 174 percent between December 2022 and August 2026, while debit and credit cards grew 37 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Of the country’s 61 scheduled banks and 35 non‑bank financial companies, 56 banks and one non‑bank financial company provide card services.

Domestic credit card transactions in August 2026 were up 30.03 percent year‑on‑year, and outward credit card transactions rose 13.83 percent. Spending by foreign nationals using cards in Bangladesh increased 34.66 percent over the same period. Outbound transactions through credit, debit and prepaid cards totaled Tk 987 crore in August, compared with Tk 249 crore in inbound transactions by foreign nationals. Department stores accounted for 48.14 percent of domestic credit card spending that month.

The total credit limit sanctioned through credit cards by 47 scheduled banks and one non‑bank financial company stood at Tk 43,108 crore as of August 2026, while outstanding claims on credit card users amounted to Tk 14,482 crore.

The report noted obstacles to a full shift to a cashless economy, citing limited digital infrastructure—especially in rural areas—low financial literacy, cybersecurity concerns, lack of trust in digital platforms, a strong cash‑based culture, an informal economy, high transaction costs and limited smartphone access. Many people remain reluctant to use cards due to fear and lack of knowledge, even when eligible. The report stresses that as card transactions rise, enhancing security measures to prevent fraud and providing consumer education and training will be essential.

Policy measures and regulatory reforms introduced by the government and Bangladesh Bank are credited with accelerating electronic payment adoption. The central bank expects card usage to continue growing alongside economic development, rising living standards and increased international transactions.