Credit Card Crossovers: US Tops Both Ways as Bangladeshis Shift from India to China
In May 2025, the United States emerged as the leading destination for Bangladeshi credit card spending abroad, while also ranking first among foreign nationals using credit cards in Bangladesh. Despite a sharp decline in Indian-bound transactions, China rose to become the second-most popular destination for overseas Bangladeshi credit card spending, overtaking several long-time leaders.
According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank, Bangladeshi cardholders spent BDT 530.5 million in the United States during May. China followed with BDT 400.4 million, marking a dramatic jump from just BDT 110.3 million in April—an increase of over BDT 290 million in a single month. Thailand, the UK, and Singapore rounded out the top five with expenditures of BDT 350 million, BDT 340 million, and BDT 320 million, respectively. Other notable destinations included Malaysia (BDT 240 million), the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia (BDT 170 million each), Canada (BDT 160 million), the UAE (BDT 130 million), and Australia (BDT 120 million). An additional BDT 670 million was spent across various other countries.
Domestically, credit card usage also showed an upward trend. In May, transactions rose to BDT 32.20 billion, compared to BDT 30.16 billion in April. Spending by foreigners using international credit cards within Bangladesh increased from BDT 2.62 billion in April to BDT 2.77 billion in May. Of this, US nationals alone accounted for BDT 1.17 billion, maintaining the top spot. The UK (BDT 210 million) and India (BDT 160 million) followed in second and third place, respectively.
India, once the top destination for Bangladeshi cardholders, saw a significant downturn. In May 2024, Bangladeshi credit card spending in India reached BDT 760.5 million. A year later, that figure fell to just BDT 210 million—a year-on-year decline of over BDT 550 million. The month-on-month comparison also showed a drop from BDT 310 million in April to BDT 210 million in May, pushing India down to seventh place in the rankings.
In stark contrast, China—absent from last year’s top destinations—has emerged prominently in 2025. Experts attribute the shift to changing travel patterns, economic engagement, and new cross-border business or academic interests involving China.
Overall, Bangladeshi citizens spent BDT 3.86 billion abroad via credit cards in May 2025, down BDT 810.2 million from April and BDT 700 million from May 2024, when spending totaled BDT 4.56 billion. Despite the month-on-month decline, the reshuffling of top destinations underscores shifting geopolitical, economic, and travel dynamics influencing consumer behavior.
