The National Bank of Serbia published payment system statistics showing a sharp rise in distance contracting in the first half of 2025, with 227,000 distance contracts concluded, up 69.4% from 134,000 in the first half of 2024. The update notes that, alongside banks, non-bank payment service providers that have met the required conditions also offer distance contracting using video identification. Video identification was used in 29.6% of distance contracts in the first half of 2025, or over 67,000 contracts, representing a 94.8% increase year on year. The remaining 70.4% of contracts, or more than 160,000, were concluded through other electronic means based on a previously established business relationship, up 60.6% from the same period of 2024. In the second quarter of 2025, 134,000 distance contracts were concluded, up 77.9% year on year, split between video identification (31.1% or 42,000) and other electronic methods (68.9% or 92,000). By product type in the second quarter, demand savings grew by 300.3% (20,897 versus 5,220), opening a payment account by 124.0% (37,749 versus 16,850), other services by 98.0% (11,573 versus 5,846), cash loans by 40.5% (42,552 versus 30,283) and overdrafts by 20.5% (20,610 versus 17,109). A graphical overview of second-quarter 2025 data on payment services and electronic money issuance is available in the National Bank of Serbia’s payment system statistics section.
National Bank of Serbia 2025-09-15
National Bank of Serbia reports 69.4% increase in distance financial contracts in first half of 2025 and 94.8% rise in video identifications
The National Bank of Serbia reported a 69.4% increase in distance contracting in the first half of 2025, with 227,000 contracts, compared to 134,000 in the same period of 2024. Video identification accounted for 29.6% of these contracts, marking a 94.8% year-on-year rise. The second quarter saw a 77.9% increase in distance contracts, with significant growth in demand savings, payment account openings, and other services.