In Q1 2018, Georgian commercial banks issued 8.8 mln payment cards. According to the data provided by the National Bank of Georgia, in Georgia, 24 payment cards are issued per 10 heads of population. Compared to the previous quarter, number of issued cards has reduced by 3%, while the proportion of credit cards in cards issued increased by 3% and made 11%. In Q1 2017, number of cards issued reduced by 5%. Total of 51,9 mln transactions (worth of 5.1 bln GEL) were performed using Georgian payments cards in Georgia and beyond its limits. Out of which, 96% of the transactions were performed within Georgia and 93% of the amount was paid locally and respectively 4% and 7% – abroad.
The proportion of payment transactions in trade/service facilities was 69% of total transactions, which made 25% of the total amount of the transactions. This rate increased by 1 percent point in terms of both quantity and amount, compared to correspondent rates of the previous quarter (Q4, 2017).
Besides, in Q1 2018, 7.4 mln internet payments were performed using Georgian payment cards, which made 442 mln GEL. Compared to the previous quarter, number of internet payments increased by 28% in terms of quantity and 34% in terms of amount. Compared to the rates of Q1 2017, number of internet payments increased by 83%, while the amount of the transactions increased by 82%.
Total transactions performed using Georgian payment cards increased by 1% in terms of quantity and reduced by 8% in money terms compared to the corresponding rates of the previous quarter (Q4 2017). Compared to Q1 2017, number of transactions performed using Georgian payment cards increased by 49%, while the total amount of the transactions increased by 46%. Number of cash withdrawal transactions increased by 17%, while total amount withdrawn increased by 21%.
