Customers of Maldives Islamic Bank are facing fresh uncertainty after the bank abruptly announced new restrictions on the use of its USD 250 monthly allowance for Rufiyaa cards, without disclosing which websites have been blocked.
In a notice issued today, MIB said it had observed some customers “misusing” the facility and claimed the move was necessary to ensure the sustainability of the service. However, the bank failed to identify the specific commercial websites affected by the restrictions, leaving customers unclear about where their cards can and cannot be used.
Under the new policy, cardholders will be limited to a maximum of 10 e-commerce transactions per month. While MIB stated that subscription services, overseas POS transactions, and payments related to medical treatment and education will continue to be permitted, the lack of transparency surrounding the blocked websites has drawn concern.
The bank’s statement provided no details on how websites were selected for restriction, what criteria were used, or whether customers would be informed before transactions are declined. This has raised questions about predictability and consumer confidence, particularly for users who rely on online platforms for everyday purchases and digital services.
Critics may view the decision as a vague and opaque policy change that places additional burdens on customers while offering little clarity on its implementation. With no published list of restricted merchants, cardholders could face unexpected transaction failures without prior notice.
MIB maintains that the measure is intended to preserve access to foreign currency for essential needs, but customers are likely to seek greater transparency regarding a decision that directly affects how and where they can spend their allocated dollar limit.
