The Bank of the Lao PDR convened the second 2026 meeting of its Payment System Committee to review payment system oversight and market developments in the second quarter of 2026. The main picture was continued growth in electronic payments, led by mobile and internet banking, alongside a decline in the volume of non-electronic payments, mainly transactions conducted at service counters. In the second quarter, electronic payment transaction volumes increased 9.36 percent and transaction values rose 7.38 percent compared with the first quarter of 2026. Non-electronic payment volumes fell 23.33 percent, while their value increased 1.16 percent. The committee also reviewed implementation of resolutions from its first meeting, licensing, supervision and monitoring of payment systems in the second quarter, and work plans for the third quarter. In addition, it discussed a three-year payment system development plan for the banking and financial sector for 2026 to 2028, the regulatory approach for fintech payment service providers offering cross-border payment services, and progress on the feasibility study for a Lao central bank digital currency.
Bank of the Lao2026-07-10
Bank of the Lao PDR reviews second quarter payment trends, electronic transactions up 9.36 percent, discusses fintech oversight and CBDC feasibility
The Bank of the Lao PDR used its second 2026 Payment System Committee meeting to review second-quarter payment trends and oversight work. Electronic payments rose 9.36 percent by volume and 7.38 percent by value from the first quarter, while non-electronic payments fell 23.33 percent by volume. The committee also discussed a 2026 to 2028 payment system development plan, oversight of fintech cross-border payment providers and progress on a Lao CBDC feasibility study.