Accra:The number of debit, credit, and prepaid cards in Bangladesh has nearly doubled over the past five years, indicating a significant shift towards electronic payments in the country. The total transaction value through these cards has more than doubled, reflecting increased adoption of digital payment methods.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a report by Bangladesh Bank titled "An Overview of Card Usage Patterns Within and Outside Bangladesh" reveals that the number of payment cards issued in the country increased by 96 percent to 52.95 million in August 2026, up from 27.01 million in September 2021. The total transaction value also saw a rise of 103 percent, reaching Tk 497,697 million in the same period.
The report, prepared by the Big Data Analytics and Data Science (BDADS) Unit of the central bank's Statistics Department, highlights the growing role of debit, credit, and prepaid cards in the payment system. Prepaid cards showed the highest growth, soaring by 803 percent to 9.27 million. Debit cards increased by 69 percent to 40.88 million, while credit cards rose by 59 percent to 2.81 million.
Bangladesh Bank data shows that 56 of the country's 61 scheduled banks and one non-bank financial institution are providing card services. Of these, 48 institutions, including 47 scheduled banks, offer products such as credit cards, dual-currency debit cards, and foreign-currency prepaid cards.
In terms of credit card usage, the sanctioned credit limit reached Tk 431.08 billion in August 2026, with outstanding credit at Tk 144.82 billion. Domestic credit card transactions amounted to Tk 40,893 million, showing a slight decline from July but a 30.03 percent increase year-on-year from August 2025. The majority of domestic credit card spending was attributed to department stores, retail outlets, and utility bill payments.
Bangladesh Bank data also highlights a stark contrast between overseas spending by Bangladeshi cardholders and spending by foreign cardholders in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi cardholders spent Tk 9.87 billion abroad in August 2026, whereas foreign cardholders spent Tk 2.49 billion in Bangladesh. The United States, Thailand, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for overseas credit card spending by Bangladeshis.
The Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2024, provides a legal framework for these activities, supporting the expansion of digital payment services. The Bangladesh Bank report offers insights into consumer spending patterns and cross-border transactions, aiding financial institutions and policymakers in enhancing digital payment services.