Bank transactions surge in October as end-of-year activity boosts financial flows

Banking activity in Albania saw a significant uptick in October, with both the number and value of transactions sharply increasing. According to fresh data from the Bank of Albania, citizens and businesses are relying more heavily on the banking system for payments—especially high-value transactions, even if smaller in count.

Why is this important: The surge in banking activity reflects growing use of formal financial channels and a more dynamic economy heading into the year-end. This is particularly evident in corporate payments, tax settlements, and international transfers.

October snapshot: In Albanian lek, 13,367 transactions were processed, totaling a record 1.3 trillion lekë.
In euros, 38,824 transactions were recorded, amounting to 636 million euros.

This places October among the most active months for money movement in Albania’s banking system.

Context: Much of the growth has been driven by corporate activity, seasonal imports, and fiscal closures. Experts point to fluctuating exchange rates and cross-border company obligations as key factors behind the rise in euro-denominated payments.

From January to October 2025, Albania’s AIPS-Euro system processed 323,000 payments, a 22% increase in volume and a 21% rise in value compared to the same period in 2024—reaching a total of €5.1 billion.

Digital momentum: The trend is also being fueled by improved digital infrastructure. Lower costs, faster processing, and user-friendly systems—like AIPS, SEPA, and the upcoming instant payment platform—are encouraging wider adoption of electronic transactions.