While several Central Asian countries have already introduced banking products tailored for minors, Tajikistan has yet to roll out children's bank cards. These cards are seen as valuable tools for teaching financial literacy, promoting cashless payments, and allowing parents to monitor their child’s spending more easily than with cash.
Asia-Plus reached out to both the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) and several commercial banks to learn whether such a product will appear in the country.
No demand yet, but banks are exploring
According to the press service of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), there is currently no significant demand for children's bank cards in Tajikistan. However, systemically important banks are researching new product lines, including child-focused banking services.
NBT emphasized that launching such cards would require major technical adjustments, including mobile app upgrades to allow parental controls, transaction limits, and safety features. While no specific launch dates have been announced, the bank confirmed that international best practices—like setting deposit and spending limits—will be considered.
Age restrictions may shift
At present, Tajik law permits issuance of bank cards only to individuals aged 18 and older. If child-friendly bank cards are introduced, this legal threshold would need to be revised and formally regulated.
Commercial banks say: “It’s just a matter of time”
Several local banks have confirmed that children’s cards are under consideration.
"This product holds both social and strategic importance,” said Khushnoud Ibodulloyev, product manager at Alif Bank. “It’s a crucial step toward introducing younger generations to digital financial tools and responsible spending.”
However, he noted that Alif Bank is currently focused on increasing card usage among adults, where penetration remains low—around 25–30%, even including payroll and pension cards. The bank is promoting cashless payments through free issuance of both local and international cards and running promotions such as cashback campaigns. A major public outreach campaign is also underway.
Alif Bank stated it would be willing to support future official initiatives to introduce child-oriented financial products.
No products yet, but strategic interest grows
Eskhata Bank does not currently offer child-specific cards either. However, marketing department head Furqat Ismatulloyev acknowledged the importance of such products and noted that the main challenge lies in synchronizing the child’s card with a parent’s account and ensuring digital security.
“Building this from scratch is costly and complex. The practical route is to purchase ready-made solutions from providers like Visa or Mastercard,” he said.
“Traditional marketing won’t work. What’s needed is targeted communication that engages both parents and children.”
Ismatulloyev stressed that youth-oriented banking is the future, and financial literacy must begin early.
Benefits of children's bank cards
Children’s cards provide a secure way to introduce young people to budgeting, saving, and responsible spending. If lost, the card can be instantly blocked, protecting funds. Mobile apps allow parents to monitor transactions, set spending limits, and ensure safe use.
Where children’s cards are already available
- Kazakhstan: 8 banks—including Freedom Bank, Halyk Bank, Forte Bank, Kaspi, and others—offer children’s cards, some starting from age 5 or 6. Parents can manage the cards via mobile apps and set strict limits.
- Uzbekistan: Multiple banks, including Anorbank and Kapitalbank, issue children's cards.
- Kyrgyzstan: Banks such as Bai-Tushum, MBank, and DosCredoBank offer child-specific cards. While general debit cards can also be issued in the parent’s name with the child’s initials, cards in the child’s own name are legally permitted from age 16.
While Tajikistan currently lacks children’s bank cards, interest is growing, and banks are actively exploring the idea. The combination of legal reforms, technological updates, and public demand will determine how soon such products enter the local market.
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