New development in the credit card regulation affecting millions!

While a decision to postpone the new regulation regarding credit card limits has come to the fore, it is stated that the current practice will continue. Banking sources state that the planned steps regarding limit changes have been suspended for now.

REGULATION PLAN SUSPENDED

The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) had announced a series of regulations on January 30, 2026, regarding the restructuring of credit card debts and the updating of limits. However, according to the information obtained, the regulation in question has been temporarily halted.

According to the information reported by NTV, banking circles stated that the implementation has been suspended and that no new limit changes will be made at this stage.

WHAT DID THE PLANNED CHANGES COVER?

According to the BDDK decision, it was envisaged to introduce a restructuring option with a maximum maturity of 48 months for individual credit cards for which the entire or a portion of the periodic debt has not been paid. In addition, it was planned to reduce limits by 50 to 80 percent for users with a total credit card limit of over 400 thousand TL.

In the limit determination process, it was aimed for banks to take the highest usage rate of the last 12 months as a basis and to bring credit card limits into compliance with customers' incomes by January 1, 2027.

CURRENT LIMITS REMAIN VALID

As the end of the 3-month preparation period granted to banks by the BDDK approaches, it is stated that the implementation will not be put into effect and has been suspended. With this development, no changes will be made to credit card limits, and the current system will continue to be applied.

It is stated that the regulation, which was planned to come into effect on February 16 and was previously postponed for 3 months, will not be implemented at this stage.

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL TIME AND TECHNICAL PREPARATION FOR BANKS

While the Board granted additional time to banks following the initial decision, it had previously emphasized that education and health expenditures should be excluded from the total limit within the period granted until February 15. It was requested that limits be redetermined for expenditures outside of this scope.

In the latest letter sent by the BDDK to banks, it was conveyed that they should contact customers and that "in order to prevent grievances, it is necessary to establish processes for the procurement and verification of income documents through digital channels and to make the necessary systemic improvements to ensure that education and health expenditures are not negatively affected."

Furthermore, the letter stated that in order for the regulation to be implemented in a healthy manner, banks must complete their technical infrastructure and prepare all operational processes completely within 3 months at the latest.

WHAT WERE THE CRITERIA IN LIMIT CALCULATION?

According to the framework announced by the BDDK at the end of January, the total limit of all credit cards belonging to the individual would be taken as the basis for limit reduction transactions. When determining the limit, it was planned to take into account credit card expenditures made until the end of 2025.

News Source: 12punto