Card transactions in country jump 143pc in 5yrs: BB

Card-based transactions in Bangladesh have grown by around 143 percent over the past five years, reflecting the country’s rapid shift toward cashless payments, according to the latest report by Bangladesh Bank (BB).

Data from Bangladesh Bank shows that the total value of card transactions was Tk 20,625 crore in January 2021. The figure rose substantially to Tk 50,044 crore by December 2025.

The report also highlighted a strong rise in the number of cards in circulation during the period.

In January 2021, Bangladesh had around 2.40 crore cards in use. By December 2025, that number had climbed to more than 5.18 crore, marking a growth of about 115 percent.

Currently, 61 banks and one non-bank financial institution (NBFI) provide card services in the country. Among them, 55 banks offer debit card facilities to customers.

An analysis of spending patterns shows that credit card users spent Tk 3,930 crore within the country in December last year alone. Departmental stores accounted for the largest share of this spending, with transactions worth Tk 1,740 crore.

The report also examined spending by foreign cardholders in Bangladesh. It found that visitors from the United States accounted for the highest card expenditure in the country.

Cardholders from the United Kingdom, India, Mozambique, Australia, Canada and Saudi Arabia also recorded notable spending in Bangladesh.

SH