Credit card usage rises domestically and internationally: Bangladesh Bank

Credit card usage in Bangladesh witnessed a notable surge in October, with both domestic transactions and expenditures by Bangladeshis abroad showing significant growth, according to the latest report by Bangladesh Bank. The central bank highlighted an overall upward trend in financial activity, encompassing domestic spending, foreign travel transactions, and spending by international visitors within the country.

Data from the report indicates that Bangladeshis spent a total of Tk534.02 crore using credit cards abroad in October, up from Tk494.02 crore in September. This represents a monthly increase of roughly Tk40 crore, reflecting a rebound in overseas travel and expenditure. The United States continued to top the list of countries where Bangladeshi cardholders spent the most, followed by Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

A detailed breakdown of top overseas destinations is provided below:

*Includes Malaysia, the Netherlands, Canada, the UAE, China, Australia, and other countries.

The report also revealed a rise in spending by foreign nationals visiting or residing in Bangladesh. In September, foreign cardholders spent Tk175.09 crore, which increased to Tk199.07 crore in October, marking an approximate gain of Tk24 crore. U.S. citizens accounted for the highest foreign expenditure at Tk44.02 crore, followed by the UK (Tk21 crore) and India (Tk18 crore).

Domestic credit card usage also demonstrated robust growth. Transactions within Bangladesh rose from Tk3,395 crore in September to Tk3,471 crore in October, reflecting an increase of Tk76 crore over the month. Analysts attribute this growth to rising consumer confidence and a surge in both local and international economic activities.

Bangladesh Bank’s report underlines that the growth in overseas spending indicates not only a recovery in international travel but also a stronger participation of Bangladeshi cardholders in global commerce. Financial experts suggest that the sustained upward trend in credit card usage is a positive signal for the nation’s expanding digital payment ecosystem and overall economic resilience.