The Central Bank of Nicaragua published its payment systems and services report for the second quarter of 2026, showing broad growth in payment activity from a year earlier. The country’s three payment systems processed 4.5 million transactions worth NIO 758.01 billion, increases of 54.7% in volume and 13.9% in value. Transactions through bank and financial technology provider channels rose even faster, driven by remote payments. The Central Bank-operated Nicaraguan Interbank Electronic Payment System processed NIO 580.35 billion, up 12.6%, with electronic fund transfers accounting for 51.3% of the value. UNIRED handled nearly 4 million transactions worth NIO 176.33 billion, representing increases of 69.4% in volume and 18.5% in value. The regional Payment Interconnection System processed 3,279 transfers worth NIO 1.33 billion, up 41.9% and 39.3%, respectively. Across payment instruments, 82.7 million transactions totaled NIO 911.35 billion, with volume rising 18.2% and value increasing 12.1%. Debit cards were the most frequently used instrument, while intrabank transfers represented 44.5% of total value. Remote payment channels recorded 48.9 million transactions worth NIO 1.1 trillion, up 79.2% in volume and 58.6% in value. Cash in circulation increased 7.2% to NIO 61.56 billion, while electronic money accounts and digital wallet users declined 7.9% and 5.4%, respectively.
Central Bank of Nicaragua reports 54.7% rise in payment system transaction volumes in second quarter
The Central Bank of Nicaragua reported that payment systems processed 4.5 million transactions worth NIO 758.01 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 54.7% in volume and 13.9% in value. Remote payment channels grew more sharply, with volume rising 79.2% and value increasing 58.6% to NIO 1.1 trillion. Cash in circulation also increased, while electronic money accounts and digital wallet users declined.