The Central Bank of Nicaragua published its first-quarter 2026 report on the country’s payment systems and services, showing strong year-over-year growth across payment systems, instruments and delivery channels. The three payment systems processed 4.5 million transactions worth NIO 790.18 billion, representing increases of 49.2% in volume and 30.6% in value. Transactions through the central bank-operated Nicaraguan Interbank Electronic Payment System totaled NIO 616.96 billion, up 32.5%, with electronic fund transfers accounting for half of the value. UNIRED processed nearly 3.5 million transactions worth NIO 172.05 billion, up 72.1% in volume and 24.4% in value. The regional Payment Interconnection System handled 3,059 transfers worth NIO 1.17 billion, increases of 44.8% and 47.8%, respectively. Payment instruments generated 79.5 million transactions worth NIO 932.75 billion, with volume rising 19% and value increasing 17.7%. Across in-person and remote channels offered by banks and financial technology providers, 93.8 million transactions totaled about NIO 1.1 trillion. Remote-channel activity grew fastest, rising 41.8% in volume and 21.9% in value, while cash in circulation increased 18.6% to NIO 68 billion.
Central Bank of Nicaragua2026-08-12
Central Bank of Nicaragua reports 49.2% rise in payment system transaction volumes in first quarter of 2026
The Central Bank of Nicaragua reported that payment systems processed 4.5 million transactions worth NIO 790.18 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 49.2% in volume and 30.6% in value from a year earlier. Transactions across bank and financial technology payment channels reached 93.8 million and about NIO 1.1 trillion, led by 41.8% volume growth through remote channels. Cash in circulation rose 18.6% to NIO 68 billion.