Summer Travel Lifts Taiwan Banks’ Card Spending to New Highs

Credit card transaction value is a key gauge of consumer spending momentum. Taiwan’s five largest card-issuing banks—CTBC Bank, Cathay United Bank, E.SUN Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank and Taishin Bank—recorded steadily rising combined card spending from January through May, driven by travel, mobile payments and holiday-related consumption. The increase reflects simultaneous growth in digital payments and demand for overseas spending.

Mother’s Day promotions boosted card spending in May. Combined transaction value at the five issuers reached NT$1.46 trillion in the first five months of the year, surpassing NT$1.4 trillion and setting a record for the period, while May spending also reached an all-time high for the month. CTBC Bank led in cards issued, active cards and transaction value. E.SUN Bank’s May transaction value surpassed Taipei Fubon Bank’s for the first time, and issuers have shifted their focus to summer travel and e-commerce campaigns.

Credit card spending is an important gauge of consumer demand, travel and tax payments. CTBC Bank, Cathay United Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, E.SUN Bank and Taishin Bank are Taiwan’s leading card issuers, making their transaction volumes broadly representative of the market. The 2026 Tomb Sweeping Day holiday and the spring travel season boosted spending on dining, transportation and overseas purchases, drawing attention to the figures for the period.

The latest data showed total credit card spending reached NT$415.9 billion in April 2026, a record for the month. Spending from January through April exceeded NT$1.66 trillion, also a record for the period. The five largest issuers — CTBC Bank, Cathay United Bank, Taipei Fubon Bank, E.SUN Bank and Taishin Bank — accounted for a combined NT$1.2 trillion during the first four months, showing that major card issuers were the main drivers of the increase.