In the last quarter of 2023, more card payments were made than in the year before
5.3.2024 10:01:53 EET | Suomen Pankki | Press release
In the last quarter of 2023, a total of 585 million card payments were made using Finnish payment cards, which was 32 million (6%) more than in the same period a year earlier. The aggregate value of card payments amounted to EUR 17.7 billion in the last quarter, which was 6% more than a year earlier.

The aggregate value of contactless payments declined by EUR 443.0 million (7%) compared to the third quarter of 2023, and was EUR 5.8 billion in the last quarter. In the last quarter of 2023, a total of 358 million card payments were made on a contactless basis, 10% less than in the third quarter of 2023.
The value and number of remote payments continues to grow
A total of 98 million card payments were initiated on a computer or mobile device in the last quarter of 2023, which was 21% more than in the last quarter of the previous year. The aggregate value of remote card payments (EUR 3.8 billion) was 24% more than in the corresponding period a year earlier.
The number of card payments made using a microchip or magnetic strip declined 7% from the third quarter of 2023 to 128 million transactions in the last quarter of 2023. In terms of aggregate value, payments made using a microchip or magnetic strip declined by EUR 0.2 billion (3%) from the third quarter of 2023 to EUR 8.0 billion in the last quarter of 2023.
The aggregate value of payments made in other euro area countries using Finnish payment cards totalled EUR 1.4 billion in the last quarter of 2023, which was 14% more than in the last quarter a year earlier. The aggregate value of card transactions made with Finnish payment cards outside the EU was EUR 0.4 billion in the last quarter of 2023, i.e. 2% less than in the third quarter.
In the last quarter of 2023, cards issued in euro area countries other than Finland were used to make payments valued at 9% less than in the third quarter, and the aggregate value of these payments was EUR 196 million. In the last quarter of 2023, cards issued outside the EU were used to make card payments with a total value of EUR 182 million in Finland, or 7% less than in the same period a year earlier.
The total number of credit transfers made in the last quarter of 2023 was 311 million, which was 4% more than a year earlier. The value of credit transfers (EUR 1 031 billion) also declined 4% from the last quarter 2022. The total value of credit transfers to Finnish counterparties declined by 1% from a year earlier to EUR 828 billion in the last quarter of 2023.
The figures discussed in this news release have been published in the new payment statistics dashboard. The contents of the dashboard will be extended later.
For further information, please contact:
- Tia Kurtti, tel. +358 9 183 2043, email: tia.kurtti(at)bof.fi
- Tuomas Nummelin, tel. +358 9 183 2373, email: tuomas.nummelin(at)bof.fi.
The next quarterly payment statistics release will be published in June 2024.

Links
The Bank of Finland is the national monetary authority and central bank of Finland. At the same time, it is also a part of the Eurosystem, which is responsible for monetary policy and other central bank tasks in the euro area and administers use of the world’s second largest currency – the euro.
Subscribe to releases from Suomen Pankki
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Suomen Pankki by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Suomen Pankki
Invitation to the media: 11th Bank of Finland and European Systemic Risk Board Joint Conference on AI and Systemic Risk Analytics, 3-4 June29.5.2026 15:07:28 EEST | Kutsu
Dear journalist, You are invited to participate in the 11th Bank of Finland and European Systemic Risk Board Joint Conference on AI and Systemic Risk Analytics on 3-4 June 2026 online or at the Bank of Finland auditorium (Rauhankatu 19, Helsinki). The conference will be held in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation. The morning session of 3 June will include a keynote speech from the Governor of the Bank of Finland Olli Rehn. Kindly find the full programme on our website. Please note that all times listed in the conference schedule are in Finnish local time (UTC+3 EEST). Please register by 2 June 2026 at 12:00 by using the link below: Register here
Kutsu medialle: Suomen Pankin järjestämä Maksufoorumi 27.5.202621.5.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Kutsu
Tilaisuuden teemat ovat maksamisen ekosysteemin muutos ja maksupetosten torjunta.
Kraftfull finansiell reglering nödvändig för att skydda mot kriser20.5.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Pressmeddelande
Det finansiella systemet i Finland är fortsatt stabilt, fastän internationella konflikter tidvis har skakat finansmarknaden och de stigande marknadsräntorna har fått bostadshandeln att bromsa in. Kraftfulla regler för banker skyddar mot finanskriser och stöder hållbar ekonomisk tillväxt. Man bör inte ge avkall på de finländska bankernas och låntagarnas slagkraftighet. En djupare europeisk kapitalmarknad skulle ge fart åt tillväxten och förstärka Europas strategiska autonomi.
Vahvaa rahoitussääntelyä tarvitaan suojaksi kriiseiltä20.5.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Tiedote
Suomen rahoitusjärjestelmä on pysynyt vakaana, vaikka kansainväliset konfliktit ovat ajoittain ravisuttaneet rahoitusmarkkinoita ja markkinakorkojen nousu on hidastanut asuntokauppaa. Vahva pankkisääntely suojaa finanssikriiseiltä ja tukee kestävää talouskasvua. Suomalaisten pankkien ja lainanottajien iskunkestävyydestä ei tulisi tinkiä. Syvemmät eurooppalaiset pääomamarkkinat vauhdittaisivat kasvua ja vahvistaisivat Euroopan strategista autonomiaa.
Strong financial regulation needed for shielding against crises20.5.2026 10:00:00 EEST | Press release
Finland’s financial system has remained stable, although financial markets have been shaken at times by international conflicts and the housing market has slowed due to the rise in market interest rates. Strong banking regulation provides protection against financial crises and underpins sustainable economic growth. The resilience of Finnish banks and borrowers should not be compromised. Deeper European capital markets would boost growth and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom