European Payment Cards Yearbook

Germany - Summary

Market Overview

  
Payment Organizations ZKA brings together the main banking associations, with responsibility for rules and specifications in areas such as the electronic cash debit card system, GeldKarte and EMV implementation. The acquirers ConCardis (previously EURO Kartensysteme) and B+S remain bank-owned; GZS, the bank-owned processor, was sold to First Data.
   
Market Structure Debit cards mainly used at ATMs, though POS use is growing. Historically, much debit card use at POS via the ÔunofficialÕ ELV procedure, though ÔofficialÕ use is now higher. Credit card use remains low.
   
Major Issuers Deutsche Postbank, Sparkassen (savings banks), Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank-Dresdner Bank.
   
Consumer Finance Largest market in the eurozone, with outstanding consumer credit of Û224.0 billion at end-2008, about Û2,700 per capita, though borrowing was flat during 2008. Instalment credit and car finance are the most important market segments.
   

Key Statistics 2008

  
Population 82.1 million
Cards Debit: 100.2 million
Credit and delayed debit: 21.1 million
Total payment cards: 121.4 million

 

click to continue

  

Purchase Profile

 

 

region
region
base