Card operations in 2021:The increase in the number of active cards, value and number of transactions

In 2021, there was an increase in the number of active cards and an increase in the value and number of transactions done with cards compared to 2020, according to data from the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH).

According to the report "Cards operations in BH in 2021" published by the CBBH, the total number of active cards in 2021 was 2,218,929, and is higher by 48,373 cards compared to 2020. The cards were issued to their clients by 22 banks in BH. Debit cards are the most common, followed by credit and deferred payment cards.

In 2021, the increasing trend of the value and number of card transactions from previous years continued. Thus, in 2021, card transactions in the amount of KM 11,957,151,297 were carried out, most of which (73%) were performed on ATMs, 25% of transactions were performed via POS terminals and 2% via the Internet. During 2021, there was also an increase in the number of transactions compared to 2019, and the total number of transactions amounted to 115,381,820. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has not changed consumer habits when it comes to the use of cards, and the use of cash withdrawal cards is still dominant.

The average value of individual card transaction in 2021 was KM 104, which is higher by KM 2 compared to 2020. The average annual turnover per one card in 2021 amounted to KM 5,378, which was higher by KM 75 compared to the previous year.

The data show that the total value of transactions realized by cards of BH banks abroad and by foreign cards in BH, on ATMs and POS terminals in 2021 was higher compared to 2020. Although the use of foreign cards in BH did not reach the pre-pandemic level, the increase in 2021 was significant compared to 2020, amounting to 28.1%, which is in correlation with decreased restrictions on travel in BH in 2021.

Banks continued developing infrastructure for card transactions, so there were 1,628 ATMs and 30,657 POS terminals installed in 2021.

The complete report „Card transactions in BH in 2021” is available on the CBBH web site https://www.cbbh.ba/Content/Read/1058?lang=en