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Card transactions in Bangladesh jump 143% in five years: BB
Card-based transactions in Bangladesh have surged by about 143 % over the past five years, according to the latest report of Bangladesh Bank.
Data from the central bank shows that total card transactions stood at Tk 20,625 crore in January 2021.
The figure rose sharply to Tk 50,044 crore by December 2025, highlighting the rapid expansion of cashless transactions across the country.
The report also shows a significant rise in the number of cards in circulation.
In January 2021, the total number of cards was 2.40 crore which increased to more than 5.18 crore by December 2025, marking a 115 percent growth during the period.
At present, 61 banks and one non-bank financial institution (NBFI) are providing card services in Bangladesh.
Among them, 55 banks offer debit card facilities to their customers.
An analysis of consumer spending patterns indicates that credit card holders spent Tk 3,930 crore within the country in December alone last year.
Of this amount, the largest share Tk 1,740 crore was spent at departmental stores.
The report also analysed spending by foreign cardholders in Bangladesh, showing that citizens of the United States accounted for the highest expenditure in the country, reports UNB.
Nationals from the United Kingdom, India, Mozambique, Australia, Canada and Saudi Arabia also made notable contributions to foreign card spending.