The Central Bank of Nicaragua published its report on payment systems and services for the third quarter of 2026, showing growth in transaction volumes and values across payment systems, instruments and service channels. Payment systems processed 5.1 million transactions worth NIO 808.2 billion, up 52.6% in volume and 11.5% in value from the same period of 2025. The central bank’s Nicaraguan Interbank Electronic Payment System accounted for NIO 629.4 billion, an increase of 10.5%. UNIRED, the automated clearing house, recorded growth of 64.7% in transaction numbers and 15.3% in value.
Payment instruments, including transfers, checks, cards and electronic money, recorded 88.1 million transactions worth NIO 937.7 billion, increases of 18.6% in volume and 12% in value. Payment cards in circulation rose 15.4% to 4.1 million, contrasting with declines of 15.8% in electronic money accounts and 9% in digital wallet users. Cash in circulation also increased, rising 16.3% to NIO 66.5 billion.
Across payment channels offered by banks and financial technology providers, transaction numbers rose 25.7% to 108 million, while their value increased 14.5% to NIO 1.1 trillion. Remote channels, including electronic banking and online payment gateways, processed 44.5 million transactions worth NIO 855.6 billion. Their growth of 49.5% in volume and 16.5% in value exceeded the respective increases of 13% and 8.4% for transactions conducted in person.