Turkey card payments reach nearly 3 trillion TL in August

In August, card-based payments in Turkey reached nearly 3 trillion TL, marking a 39% increase compared to the same period last year. Data from the Interbank Card Center (BKM) shows that total transaction volume hit approximately 2 billion, an 11% rise. Credit cards accounted for the largest share, totaling 2.537 trillion TL, while bank cards reached 445.9 billion TL. Conversely, prepaid card spending fell by 43% to 7.5 billion TL.

Digitalization trends continue to drive growth, with internet-based card payments rising 41% to 923.9 billion TL, representing 30% of total card spending. Contactless transactions also saw significant growth, with the total amount increasing 42% to over 1 trillion TL. As of August, the total number of cards in Turkey reached 478 million.

In the broader banking sector, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) reported that total credit volume rose to over 28 trillion TL. Individual credit card receivables reached approximately 3.497 trillion TL. Additionally, the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB) noted that total banking sector deposits increased to over 33 trillion TL during the week ending September 11.