According to the Central Bank’s statistical bulletin for May 2026, the banking sector’s net profit reached AZN 557.1 million in the first five months of the year. This represents an increase of AZN 126.4 million, or 29.3 per cent, compared with the same period last year.

A strong and profitable banking sector is important for the economy. At the same time, it is equally important that credit, POS and acquiring services are provided on more accessible terms to businesses in the real economy that operate on low profit margins.

As the Retail Networks Development Union, and within the framework of our cooperation and continuing dialogue with the Azerbaijan Banks Association, we believe that, as the share of cashless payments increases, lower commissions, the reflection of new interchange caps in actual tariffs, and the introduction of domestic payment instruments on more favourable terms would serve the interests of banks, businesses and consumers alike.