Financial Institutions Warn Belarus Residents to Stockpile Currency Amidst Current Crisis
In Belarus, a significant decline in the use of physical cash is becoming increasingly evident, as evidenced by the decrease in cash withdrawal points, infokiosks, and ATMs. This trend suggests a shift away from cash usage towards digital payments, with bank cards leading the charge.
According to recent data, the number of active bank cards in Belarus has been on a steady increase, with the figure reaching 19,719,220 as of July 1, 2025. Each Belarusian, on average, is estimated to have at least two bank cards. However, the exact average number of bank cards per Belarusian remains unclear, as the available search results do not provide a specific figure.
The banks themselves have warned of potential disruptions in card operations, which may affect multiple financial institutions, including Belarusbank, Bank "Dabrabyt", Paritetbank, Bank "Reshenie", Neo Bank Asia, Sber Bank, and others. These disruptions are due to work at the Bank Processing Center and are expected to occur from August 9, night (00:00) to August 9, early morning (05:00). During this time, customers are advised to have cash in their wallets to avoid any inconvenience.
The disruptions are not limited to card operations but may also affect other services provided by the banks. Difficulties may be encountered when conducting card operations in trade and service organizations, cash withdrawal points, ATMs, and self-service devices.
The decrease in cash withdrawal points, infokiosks, and ATMs may be related to the increasing use of bank cards. As of the latest count, the number of ATMs in Belarus has decreased from 4,215 to 4,138, and the number of cash withdrawal points has decreased by 423 in the last six months, totaling 2,133. The number of infokiosks has also decreased from 1,750 to 1,660.
Despite the temporary disruptions, the future of banking in Belarus looks promising. The Global Financial Inclusion Database reports that about 58.6% of the Belarusian adult population had access to financial services as of recent data (2021-22), implying a growing acceptance of digital payments. Belarus also accepts the Russian national payment system Mir cards, further cementing its position in the digital payment landscape.
For precise and up-to-date statistics on the number of bank cards per capita in Belarus, one would need to consult Belarusian banking sector reports or national financial surveys. If you require assistance in locating such data, feel free to ask.
The increase in active bank cards in Belarus could be an indication of a shift from cash to digital payments within the finance and banking-and-insurance industry. The decrease in ATMs, cash withdrawal points, and infokiosks might be a result of the rising popularity of bank cards, which are essential components in the business sector.
