Bangladeshis spent Tk696 crore overseas using plastic cards in February 2026, marking a 20.4 per cent drop from the previous month amid shifting cross-border spending patterns.
Credit card spending abroad fell to Tk377 crore from Tk463 crore in January, down 18.6 per cent. Debit card transactions declined to Tk279 crore from Tk357 crore, a 21.9 per cent decrease, while prepaid card spending dropped 25.9 per cent to about Tk40 crore from Tk54 crore.
City Bank Head of Cards Tauhidul Alam said the decline reflected lower outbound travel. He said elections and Ramadan also contributed, while medical travel abroad declined during the period.
He said spending may recover in March, though the extent of rebound remains uncertain amid the current conflict situation.
Card transactions by foreign nationals within Bangladesh stood at Tk266 crore in February, down 22.7 per cent from Tk344 crore in December. Spending was concentrated in department stores, cash withdrawals and retail segments.
Cards issued in the United States, the United Kingdom and Mozambique accounted for the largest shares of inward transactions.
Thailand, the United States and Saudi Arabia were the top destinations for overseas credit card use by Bangladeshis.
Department stores, retail outlets and transport services dominated overseas credit card spending.
Debit card usage abroad was driven mainly by department store purchases, government services and business services, with cash withdrawals and retail also contributing.
Prepaid card spending overseas was largely linked to government services, cash withdrawals and business services, alongside department store and retail purchases.
