Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) has imposed a new restriction limiting customers to just 10 online transactions per month under its USD 250 foreign spending allowance, while also quietly blocking access to several e-commerce websites.
The move introduces fresh hurdles for cardholders who rely on online shopping and digital services, with the bank citing alleged misuse of the facility by some customers.
In addition to the 10-transaction monthly cap, MIB revealed that the dollar allowance can no longer be used on certain commercial websites. However, the bank has not disclosed which websites have been blocked, leaving customers to discover the restrictions only when transactions fail.
The lack of transparency has raised concerns among users, who are now expected to navigate new spending limits without knowing which platforms are affected. Customers making frequent low-value purchases may reach the monthly transaction cap long before using their full USD 250 allowance.
MIB said subscription services, medical and educational payments, and overseas POS transactions will remain eligible. Nevertheless, the latest restrictions further narrow the ways in which customers can access and utilize foreign currency through their bank cards.
With both a transaction cap and undisclosed website blocks now in force, customers face increased uncertainty over their ability to make routine online purchases, while the bank has provided little detail on how the restrictions will be implemented or reviewed.
