More Than 61,000 Ecuadorians Got Their First Credit Card In 2025

More than 61,000 Ecuadorians obtained a credit card for the first time in 2025, El Comercio reported, citing figures from Aval Buró and the Superintendencia de Bancos.

The same report says 4,631,677 credit cards with recorded consumption were active between January and December 2025, a 4.9% annual increase.

What This Means For Expats

This is a local-finance story, but it has practical implications for foreign residents. Ecuador's formal credit system is still relationship- and history-driven. More card issuance can mean broader acceptance, more local credit data, and more competition among banks, but it does not automatically mean every foreign resident will qualify quickly.

If you are trying to build Ecuador financial history, expect banks to look at residency status, income documentation, account history and risk profile. A debit card is easy; a true credit card usually takes more time.

Practical Takeaway

Keep local banking records clean, maintain documented income, and ask your bank what internal history they require before extending credit. For many expats, the first step is not chasing a high limit. It is becoming legible to the Ecuador banking system.

Source: El Comercio