Virtual cards accounted for 88 percent of all prepaid cards issued in September, reflecting the growing popularity of the digital payment instrument, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB) data.

Banks issued 97.2 lakh prepaid cards, of which 85.2 lakh were virtual during the month.

On the other hand, some 4.28 crore debit and 26.5 lakh credit cards were issued, of which only 10,439 and 2,664, respectively, were virtual.

Virtual debit, credit, and prepaid cards enable online purchases, subscriptions, transfers, and international transactions instantly.

Meanwhile, both the number and amount of local and foreign currency transactions rose by 2 percent year-on-year in the ninth month, when Tk 46,353 crore changed hands through 5.24 crore transactions.

During the period, the Bangladeshi-branded Taka Pay debit card also gained momentum, posting 170,527 issuances, according to Bangladesh Bank's Review on e-Banking and e-Commerce Statistics (September 2025).

Launched in November 2023, Taka Pay is the country's first national debit card scheme, aimed at promoting financial self-reliance and reducing dependence on international payment networks.

In September, the number of internet banking customers continued to rise, experiencing a 2.46 percent increase compared to the previous month.

Fifty-six scheduled banks now offer internet banking services to 1.22 crore customers, with three-fifths being mobile app users.

These clients transacted Tk 108,628 crore during the period.

Alongside virtual and internet banking growth, physical infrastructure also continued to expand.

Bangladesh's banking services rely on both physical and digital tools, including branches, sub-branches, automated teller machines (ATMs), point of sale terminals, cash deposit machines, cash recycling machines (CRMs), and real-time deposit machines.

The number of fully online branches and physical sub-branches stood at 11,395 and 4,845, respectively, in September.

CRMs, which allow real-time deposits, are gaining more popularity than ATMs. The number of CRMs increased by 0.93 percent compared to August this year.