As of Q4 2017, Georgian commercial banks issued 9.1 mln payment cards. Compared to the previous quarter, number of issued payment cards decreased by 4%. The share of issued credit cards has decreased by 1% and made 8%.
According to the data provided by the National Bank, compared to Q4 2016, the number of payment cards issued decreased by 3%.
In Georgia, 2,4 cards have been issued per capita.
Most popular in Georgia are Master Card cards. 47% of total volume of cards issued are MC cards. Next ones to come are Visa with 28% and Local with 17%.
Within the accounting period, 51 mln transactions have been conducted with Georgian payment cards in Georgia and beyond its limits. the total amount of transactions is 5.5 bln GEL. Of these, 96% of transactions were conducted in Georgia and the amount of these transactions made 93% of the total amount, accordingly, 4% of transactions were conducted abroad with 7% of the total amount.
68% of total transactions were conducted in retail/service facilities with 24% of the total amount. This rate increased by 1% with regard to the quantity and the mount of transactions compared to similar rates of the previous quarter (Q3).
Total number of transactions conducted with payment cards increased by 11% and the amount of the transactions increased by 12% compares to the previous quarter (Q3).
Compared to Q4 2016, number of transactions conducted with Georgian payment cards increased by 37% and the amount of the transactions increased by 26%. Number of transactions conducted in retail/services facilities increased by 50% as well as the amount of the transactions. Number of cash withdrawal transactions increased by 15% and the amount of these transactions increased by 20%.
In Q4 2017, 33 mln transactions were conducted through POS terminals (including virtual terminals) in retail/service facilities using Georgian payment cards. Amount of these transactions made 1 bln GEL. The rate of the above transactions increase by 13% and the amount is 18% more compared to the previous quarter (Q3).
In Q4 2017, 16.5 mln cash withdrawal transactions were conducted with Georgian payment cards within the country, amount of which transactions made 4.1 bln GEL. The number of these transactions is 8% and amount is 11% more than in previous quarter (Q3).
Within the accounting period, 5.8 mln internet payment transactions were conducted with Georgian payment cards, amount of which transactions made 329 mln GEL. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3), number of internet payment transactions conducted with Georgian payment cards increased by 26% and the amount of these transactions – by 29%.
Compared to the rates of Q4 2016, number of internet payment transactions increased by 52% with the amount increased by 54%.
