The provision of banking through online banking, ATM booths or point of sales (POS) have been available since long ago. Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) is introduced for depositing money after withdrawal system. In the last few years, many banks have introduced cash recycling machines or CRMs to facilitate deposits and withdrawals in the same machines. In addition to branches, various approaches including mobile financial services, agent banking, sub-branches have brought new dimensions in financial services. Account holders are feeling more comfortable in digital transactions with these innovative services. In this case, Dutch Bangla, City and Islami Bank are ahead.
Although the impact of corona decreased on the financial sector, by dint of digital services provided by various banks, a record amount of digital transactions have been recorded in September as compared to any other time, according to the financial report of Bangladesh Bank. According to the statistics, record transactions have been made in ATMs, CRMs and POS machines during this period.
In the last 21 months till September this year, 1571 new ATM booths have been set up. The number of booths has increased to 12,495. In last September, debit card transactions were 22 thousand 522 crore. With ATM cards, Tk 18,059 crore was withdrawn from the ATM booths, which is a new record. And in the previous 21 months, the number of debit cards has increased by about 6 million. At the end of last September, the number of debit cards in the country has increased to 2 crore 42 lakh 25 thousand 164.
At the same time, the number of credit cards has increased by about 3 lakh. Through this, the transaction in September was 1 thousand 839 crore. At that time the number of credit cards has increased to 18 lakh 3 thousand 123.
Similarly, Tk. 1,799 crore were transacted through Point of Sales in September. The number of POS in the country has increased to 58,527 in a span of 1 year and 9 months. At the end of 2019, the number of POS machines was 56,013.
Besides, the number of cash deposit machines has increased to 1,689 and the number of cash recycling machines has increased to 1,034. Customers are now preferring devices over bank branches to deposit less amount of money.
According to statistics, City Bank and Islami Bank are at the top of credit card services with Dutch Bangla and Amex services for debit cards in Bangladesh. Most of the ATM machines belong to Dutch Bangla Bank. City Bank is leading in using POS machines and Islami Bank is leading in using CRM machines.