Interbank networks

Credit card spending increased by 120 percent in April compared with the same month last year to hit 930.4 billion Turkish Liras ($28.9 billion), according to data from the Interbank Card Center (BKM).

The number of credit cards in use in Türkiye rose by 15 percent year-on-year last month to reach a total of 122.1 million.

Credit card spending increased by 138 percent on an annual basis in March to hit 992 billion Turkish Liras ($30.4 billion), according to data from the Interbank Card Center (BKM).

The number of credit cards in use in Türkiye rose by 17 percent compared to March of last year to a total of 121.4 million.

BELGRADE - The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) RTGS and clearing systems processed a total of 18.6 mln payments in the course of 18 business days in April 2023.

According to figures released by the central bank, the RTGS system processed 16.9 mln payments, or 91.2 pct of the total, while the clearing system processed 1.6 mln payments, or 8.8 pct of the total.

Interbank transactions traded through the DIAS SA network marked a record high, in 2021, reaching 330 million, with an annual increase of 13%.

This is an increase that is directly linked to the much-needed shift of consumers to digital banking tools due to the pandemic.

Extensive problems were reported over the weekend in the use of National Bank credit and debit cards, due to problems with the online network that supported the lender's electronic transactions.

Robbers who blew up a bank ATM in Fokida, north of Attica, in the early hours of Wednesday managed to make off with 42,000 euros in cash.

The ATM was located on the main square of Polydroso and the robbers reportedly blew it open by funneling some kind of explosive gas into the machine.

Two ATMs were blasted last night in Sofia, sega reported. The first machine is located in Bankya, and the other one is located in "Levski" District.

There are currently no data about the amount of money stolen. There is a strong police presence in both places.

Turkey is introducing a new electronic card payment clearing system called TROY, the InterBank Card Center (BKM) announced on April 28.        

"We are ready. Since April 1, TROY has been available at all swiping machines and ATMs," Soner Canko, chairman of the card center, told a press conference.        

Use of plastic money in the retail commerce has almost tripled since the imposition of capital controls in the country.

Credit institutions issued more than 1.1 million debit cards in one month from the end of June until early August, to a total of 11 million cards, whereas Greek banks were issuing less than 100,000 debit cards a month on average previously.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras calls for “patience and composure” over the coming days fell on deaf ears following the dramatic developments in the Greek economy over the last 48 hours.