Credit Card Transactions

The number of personal credit cards in circulation has been falling over the review period. Due to the high interest rates on credit cards, some consumers are paying off balances and closing credit card accounts. This trend can also be linked to the…

Banks in Argentina are grappling with a complex situation as the promotion of credit cards has become less lucrative. The regulated interest rates imposed by the Central Bank have limited the profitability of offering credit cards. Both the interest…

Credit card transactions continue to exhibit triple-digit current value growth in 2023, aligning with the extremely high inflation rate in Turkey. The rising number of credit cards and transactions is primarily driven by the influx of new consumers…

After the pandemic, there has been much pent-up demand for activities which were restricted, including going out and travelling abroad. Also, many Swedes managed to make significant savings during COVID-19 and have been able to spend more…

In early 2023, the Israeli government is set to mandate Discount Bank to divest its credit card business, Visa Cal, aiming to enhance competition within the credit card market. This move will introduce a new player to the credit market, fostering a…

The loan repayment moratorium for vulnerable borrowers, including credit card owners, to cope with the negative economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was extended to the end of 2022, but was not renewed in 2023. Meanwhile, high interest…

Consumer credit is facing a number of challenges in France, to the extent the French Association of Financial Companies is reported to have called credit in 2023 a “serious cold snap”. As such, credit difficulties also affect the performance of…

In 2023, credit cards in Germany witnessed a nuanced recovery characterised by a notable and consistent increase in transaction volume and value. As the nation emerged from pandemic-induced restrictions, industries such as travel and dining -…

Thai consumers have been spending more on credit cards in 2023 in line with an increase in the consumer confidence index and a marked improvement in the Thai economy. Expenditure on various products and services, including shopping, restaurants,…

Credit card is the leading cashless payment method in Japan, and is still responsible for the predominant share of cashless payment transaction volumes and value. Other digital payment instruments are also gaining popularity, but credit cards remain…

Amidst the ongoing economic challenges in Egypt, ranging from currency devaluation to inflation and restricted overseas transactions, credit cards have gained substantial traction. The reliance on credit cards is expected to surge further in the…

Despite a decline in the number of cards in circulation, credit cards in Italy registered dynamic growth in terms of both number of transactions and transaction value in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. This was driven by the growing…

Credit cards are also benefitting from the ongoing government and finance industry efforts to promote a cashless payment society. As such, we are seeing a robust performance in credit cards in 2023, thanks to a growing awareness among consumers about…

At the close of 2022, Taiwan witnessed a significant reshuffle in its credit card issuance landscape. The top five credit card issuers, ranked by the number of active cards, were Cathay United Bank with 5.77 million, CITIC Bank with 5.34 million, E…

Morocco is a country heavily reliant on cash, with consumers historically favouring debit cards to any other types of financial cards; standard credit cards continue to suffer from a negative perception among locals for several reasons. The demand…

In 2023, credit cards are experiencing growth in terms of the number of cards, volume, and value of transactions. After a prolonged period of recovery from the Greek financial crisis of the previous decade, credit cards have found a stable position…

The number of credit cards in circulation is set to witness remarkable double-digit growth in 2023, accompanied by even stronger surges in transaction volumes and values when compared with the previous year. These impressive performances not only…

In 2023, the issuance of credit cards is expected to remain almost flat, with no significant increase. Growth rates for the number and value of transactions are also expected to decelerate compared to the previous year. The value of transactions,…

The number of credit cards in circulation and credit card current value transactions are expected to increase in 2023, mainly driven by further improvements in mobility and economic conditions after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at the end of…

The buy now, pay later (BNPL) trend has taken hold in Spain, particularly among younger consumers, and is rapidly gaining share in Spain. Consumers choose BNPL for a variety of reasons, including the lower APR (in most cases 0%, as opposed to 18% for…