Average Credit Loan Interest Rates Fall to Lowest Since August 2023

Credit card interest rates have seen a slight decline in South Korea, attributed to falling rates on credit-specialized financial bonds and tightened loan regulations, with Lotte Card maintaining the highest rates among major issuers. In Hong Kong, while the number of credit card transactions increased significantly in Q2 2025, the total transaction value decreased slightly compared to the previous quarter, indicating a shift in spending patterns despite more cards in circulation. Sri Lanka experienced slower growth in credit card debt in July 2025, which analysts link to improved household finances and the availability of alternative repayment options, even as overall credit and card issuance increased. Contrasting these trends, Bangladesh reported a decline in credit card transaction volumes and cross-border usage in July 2025, with the United States and UK being the primary foreign transaction destinations. Meanwhile, in the UK, government efforts to curb civil service waste have resulted in more than a 50% reduction in taxpayer-funded credit card spending, reflecting policy-driven constraints on credit card usage within the public sector.