In recent months, a significant shift has occurred in the use of Bangladeshi credit cards abroad, with the United States surpassing India as the leading destination for credit card spending.
This change follows India's stricter visa regulations, which have dampened the travel of Bangladeshis, particularly after political changes and unrest.
According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, Bangladeshis spent approximately Tk 770 million in the US in September, marking a clear rise in credit card usage there.
This figure eclipsed India, where spending dropped to Tk 510 million in the same period—down from Tk 920 million in June. Prior to July, India had been the top destination for Bangladeshi credit card spending.
The US now accounts for 18% of the total overseas credit card expenditure by Bangladeshis.
In September, the total amount spent on credit cards abroad rose to Tk 421 million, up 13% from Tk 373 million in August.
The increase in spending was notably concentrated in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Netherlands, with Thailand seeing a 27% jump in credit card usage.
Bangladeshi credit card holders continue to favour department stores, with Tk 116 million spent in September, followed by retail outlet services, which saw Tk 740 million in spending.
On the domestic front, spending on credit cards in Bangladesh rose by 14.4%, reaching Tk 2.668 billion in September, compared to Tk 2.332 billion in August, indicating an uptick in consumer confidence and card usage within the country.
This shift in credit card usage patterns reflects broader trends in international travel and economic activity, underscoring how geopolitical changes can directly impact consumer behaviour.