European Payment Cards Yearbook Synopsis

The countries of Europe are generally mature payments markets, with cards issued and acceptance networks at or near saturation point in many cases. While this is less true of more recent EU-acceding countries like Bulgaria and Romania, investment by western banking groups and the potential for increasing economic integration at EU level make it likely that the maturity of their payments will converge over time towards those of the more developed markets.

The report examines the differences in issuance, acceptance and use of different payment methods across the European nations.

Debit card use continues to grow across most of Europe (by 38.2% between 2006 and 2010) while revolving-credit cards are well established in some markets and practically non-existent in others.
Cash is still a popular option but the report shows how initiatives from banks and governments are having an effect in encouraging the move away from costly cash-based transactions.
The total growth in ATM terminals and cash transactions, however, shows that the battle against cash has not yet been won. This bodes well for opportunities in prepaid, contactless and other forms of electronic payment.
There is also a clear movement towards mobile payment innovations, with market entrants including a range of ‘new kids on the block’ such as mobile network operators, Google, PayPal and others.

Understanding the different characteristics and dynamics of the individual European national markets is essential. This report provides a historical context for the current state of the marketplaces while looking forward to see opportunities for growth and modern payment initiatives.

Don’t let the differences between markets become a barrier to growth – the European Payments Report provides the information needed to see a clearer way ahead.

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European Payment Cards Yearbook