Sharq Yemeni Bank review
Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Sharq Yemeni Bank is a Yemeni Islamic microfinance bank whose card is a debit card on the mastercard network, with a monthly fee of YER 0. It suits people in Yemen who want a plain bank card with a YER 0 monthly fee and a virtual card option.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A monthly fee of YER 0 on a debit card.
- Runs on mastercard, the network used by 36.9% of the cards in this comparison.
- A virtual card is listed among the card's features, so online spending has a card of its own.
- Debit is the norm in this group at 74.7% of the cards compared, and this is a debit card.
Cons
- The card runs on mastercard, so acceptance at home and abroad rests on that single network.
- The bank is supervised by the Central Bank of Yemen under 842/CBY/2023, so oversight sits with one domestic regulator.
- Founded in 2023, the bank has a short track record for anyone weighing stability.
Ready to try Sharq Yemeni Bank?
Who it suits
- Customers in Yemen who want a debit card with a YER 0 monthly fee.
- People who want a virtual card alongside a physical one for online spending.
- Shoppers who want to pay on the mastercard network every day.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after a card priced in GBP: Wise lists a monthly fee of £0.
- Euro spenders comparing card costs: Bitpanda's card has a monthly fee of €0.
- Readers who want a monthly fee of £0 on a card billed in pounds rather than YER 0.
The company behind it
The card comes from SHARQ Yemeni Bank for Islamic Microfinance, a bank founded in 2023 and licensed by the Central Bank of Yemen under 842/CBY/2023. It is a Yemeni bank rather than a global payments brand, so the card sits inside a local banking relationship. That licence reference is the main regulatory check available for anyone weighing the provider.
How Sharq Yemeni Bank compares
A monthly fee of €0 makes it the euro-priced comparison point for anyone weighing card charges.
Where Sharq Yemeni Bank is available
- Available
- Yemen
- Licence in Yemen
- Central Bank of Yemen (842/CBY/2023), checked September 26, 2026
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What does the card cost each month?+
The monthly fee is YER 0, so keeping the card open costs nothing each month. The median monthly fee across the cards in this comparison is €0, and the top of the range reaches €148.23.
Is it a debit or credit card?+
It is a debit card, so spending comes out of the money in the linked account rather than being extended as credit. Debit cards account for 74.7% of the cards compared here, ahead of prepaid cards at 19.3%.
Which network does the card run on?+
The card runs on mastercard, so it is accepted wherever that scheme is accepted. In this comparison 36.9% of the cards use that network, while local-only schemes account for 5.3% of the field.
Can I get a virtual card?+
A virtual card is listed among the card's features, so the same account can carry a card for online spending. Virtual cards are a small share of the field at 6%, with the physical debit card the norm.
Who regulates the bank behind the card?+
The bank is licensed by the Central Bank of Yemen under 842/CBY/2023. Across the site 355 licensed providers are tracked, and a licence reference is the first thing to check on any card issuer.
How long has the bank been running?+
Founded in 2023, the bank trades as SHARQ Yemeni Bank for Islamic Microfinance. The legal name shows its focus on Islamic microfinance, and the short history is worth weighing for anyone looking for a long record.
Who does this card suit?+
It suits customers in Yemen who want a plain debit card, a mastercard network and a YER 0 monthly fee. It suits everyday spending from a local bank account, with a virtual card available for online use.
Where can the card be used?+
The card is issued by a Yemeni bank, so it is built for use in Yemen, where SHARQ Yemeni Bank for Islamic Microfinance operates. Readers in other markets should check whether their own bank will accept mastercard before relying on it abroad.
Sources
- syibank.com/en checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Card network
“Alsharq International Card (Mastercard Global)”
- syibank.com/en/about-us-page checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Legal entity, Licences
“established in 2023 based on the license issued by the Central Bank of Yemen (No. 842/CBY/2023)”
- syibank.com/en/services/sadad-service checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Card type, Features, Monthly fee
“Obtain ATM cards and other credit cards, such as the Mastercard”
Compiled from 3 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Currency conversion fee, Free ATM withdrawals, Protection.
Sharq Yemeni Bank
A debit card with a YER 0 monthly fee for customers in Yemen.