Consumer Finance in Canada

Euromonitor International's Consumer Finance in Canada report establishes the size and structure of the market for ATMs, credit cards, debit cards, store cards and smart cards. It looks at key players in the market (issuers and operators), number of cards in circulation, numbers transactions and value of transactions. It offers strategic analysis of sector forecasts and trends to watch.

Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of value and volume for retail and internet transactions, number of cards in circulation and company brand shares.

Tables: 151  |  Publication date: Jan 2009
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GBP1000.00

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  • Get insight into trends in market performance
  • Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
  • Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment

Product coverage

Consumer lending; Financial cards and payments

Executive summary

Initial chip card trials a success

A chip card trial conducted in Canada has returned positive results. The trials were conducted in the Kitchener-Waterloo area in southern Ontario. Nearly one third of residents were issued with new chip cards to use at 2,300 POS terminals across the area. Around 65% of ATMs in Kitchener-Waterloo were converted to accept the chip format, and roughly 312,500 outstanding cards will be converted and reissued over the trial period. The trial was planned to run until October 2008, and if it continues to be successful, chip cards are expected to be fully integrated in Canada by 2010.

M-commerce on the horizon

Consumers may also soon be able to make purchases using their mobile phones. Tests are already underway for the arrival of this new technology. Visa and MasterCard, the main companies involved with developing this payment method, have taken different approaches to implementation. Visa has partnered with RBC, its second largest issuer in Canada, while MasterCard has aligned itself with Bell.

Both partnerships offer distinct advantages. RBC currently has the largest number of chip-to-chip transactions in Canada, at 25 million. Visa is testing the capabilities of m-commerce in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and also among its own employees in the Greater Toronto Area. Bell, meanwhile, has its own infrastructure and mobile phone network, which provides MasterCard with an existing network through which to implement the technology.

Canadians are the leaders in on-line banking usage

Canada ranks first in the adoption of on-line banking. Of the 24 million Internet users in Canada, 67.1% were using on-line banking in April 2008. This percentage is much higher than other English-speaking countries, with the US having 44.4% on-line banking users, the UK 49.5%, and Australia 41.7%. Canada is also the leader in on-line banking frequency, with Canadians using on-line banking on an average of eight days and 10.5 times in April 2008. On-line banking and e-commerce remain significant opportunities for financial institutions in Canada.

Consumer spending remains strong

Despite the weak North American economy, consumers in Canada have been spending as usual thus far. Consumer expenditure rose at an estimated rate of 3.3% per annum in 2008. A strong Canadian dollar has also boosted consumer expenditure. Canadians now spend more on cheaper US goods, whilst to counteract the spending exodus to the US, domestic retailers are cutting their prices. The strong Canadian dollar has hurt exporters in certain industries, like manufacturing, but energy and commodity producers are still in a favourable position due to soaring energy and commodity prices.

Canadian banks battling DataTreasury Corp for cheque processing patent

DataTreasury Corp, a company based in Plano, Texas, holds the patent in Canada for an everyday back-office process that is worth billions of dollars. The process allows banks to process cheques electronically at a cost of pennies a day, whereas it would cost around C$2 to process manually. The Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank and the Bank of Montreal launched a pre-emptive legal case against DataTreasury to attempt to avoid a costly settlement. They claim that the patent is too vague and are suing to have the patent ruled invalid.

DataTreasury has retaliated, claiming that the major six banks have wilfully committed patent infringement. The company is claiming damages for profits lost from cost savings related to processing billions of cheques. DataTreasury acquired the patent in January 2006.

Table of contents

CONSUMER FINANCE IN CANADA : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Initial chip card trials a success

M-commerce on the horizon

Canadians are the leaders in on-line banking usage

Consumer spending remains strong

Canadian banks battling DataTreasury Corp for cheque processing patent

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Personal debt levels reach a record high

Chase Paymentech to dissolve by the end of 2008

Canadian banks are also looking across the border for bargains

Consumers are still not convinced about e-shopping security

Younger Canadians are bigger savers than their parents

Canadians love their rewards

Organised crime a growing concern

MARKET DATA

Table 1 Consumer Payments: Value 2003-2008

Table 2 Financial Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 3 Financial Cards Transactions: Value 2003-2008

Table 4 Financial Cards: Number of Transactions 2003-2008

Table 5 Financial Cards: Number of Accounts 2003-2008

Table 6 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 7 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 8 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 9 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 10 Consumer Payments Forecast: Value 2008-2013

Table 11 Financial Cards Forecast: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 12 Financial Cards Forecast: Value 2008-2013

Table 13 Financial Cards Forecast: Number of Transactions 2008-2013

Table 14 Financial Cards Forecast: Number of Accounts 2008-2013

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 15 Number of POS Terminals 2004-2008

Table 16 Number of ATMs 2004-2008

Table 17 Disposable Income 2003-2008

Table 18 Value Lost to Fraud 2003-2008

Table 19 Acquirer Fraud 2003-2008

Table 20 Card Expenditure by Location 2008

Table 21 Card Expenditure by Sector 2008

Table 22 Financial Cards in Circulation by Type: % Number of Cards 2004-2008

Table 23 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2008

DEFINITIONS

Summary 1 Research Sources

CONSUMER LENDING IN CANADA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Canadians now hold over C$850 billion in mortgage debt

Legislative changes protect retirement savings

Revisions to Bank Act make down-payments easier

Housing market looking to slow

Canadian Tire enters mortgage market

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

The rise and fall of 40-year mortgages

Rising tuition with less return on investment leaves students in greater debt

More 60-year-olds still have mortgages to pay

Canadians are increasingly paying their bills on time

Bank of Canada is content with current interest rate

Car sales “defy gravity”

Canadian dollar returns to below parity

MARKET DATA

Table 24 Consumer Lending By Sector: Outstanding Balance: Value 2003-2008

Table 25 Consumer Lending By Sector: Outstanding Balance: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 26 Consumer Lending By Sector: Gross Lending: Value 2003-2008

Table 27 Consumer Lending By Sector: Gross Lending: % Value Growth 2003-2008

Table 28 Consumer Lending: Non-performing vs Other Loans 2003-2008

Table 29 Mortgages/Housing: Non-performing vs Other Loans 2003-2008

Table 30 Consumer Credit: Non-performing vs Other Loans 2003-2008

Table 31 Forecast Consumer Lending By Sector: Outstanding Balance: Value 2008-2013

Table 32 Forecast Consumer Lending By Sector: Outstanding Balance: % Value Growth 2008-2013

Table 33 Forecast Consumer Lending By Sector: Gross Lending: Value 2008-2013

Table 34 Forecast Consumer Lending By Sector: Gross Lending: % Value Growth 2008-2013

DEFINITIONS

Summary 2 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - CANADA

BANK OF MONTREAL FINANCIAL GROUP - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 Bank of Montreal: Key Facts

Summary 4 Bank of Montreal: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 5 Bank of Montreal: Competitive Position 2007

BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, THE - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 The Bank of Nova Scotia: Key Facts

Summary 7 The Bank of Nova Scotia: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 8 The Bank of Nova Scotia: Competitive Position 2007

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE (CIBC) - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 9 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Key Facts

Summary 10 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 11 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Competitive Position 2007

DESJARDINS GROUP - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 12 Desjardins Group: Key Facts

Summary 13 Desjardins Group: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 14 Desjardins Group: Competitive Position 2007

TD FINANCIAL GROUP - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - CANADA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 15 TD Financial Group: Key Facts

Summary 16 TD Financial Group: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 17 TD Financial Group: Competitive Position 2007

ATM TRANSACTIONS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 35 ATM Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 36 ATM Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 37 ATM Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 38 ATM Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 39 ATM Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 40 ATM Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 41 ATM Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 42 ATM Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

DEBIT TRANSACTIONS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 43 Debit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 44 Debit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 45 Debit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 46 Debit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 47 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 48 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 49 Debit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 50 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 51 Debit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 52 Debit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 53 Debit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 54 Debit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 55 Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 56 Credit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 57 Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 58 Credit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 59 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 60 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 61 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 62 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 63 Commercial Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 64 Commercial Credit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 65 Commercial Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 66 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 67 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 68 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 69 Credit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 70 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 71 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 72 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 73 Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 74 Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 75 Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 76 Credit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 77 Personal Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 78 Personal Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 79 Personal Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 80 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 81 Commercial Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 82 Commercial Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 83 Commercial Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 84 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

CHARGE CARD TRANSACTIONS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 85 Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 86 Charge Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 87 Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 88 Charge Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 89 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 90 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 91 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 92 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 93 Commercial Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 94 Commercial Charge Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 95 Commercial Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 96 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 97 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 98 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 99 Charge Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 100 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 101 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 102 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 103 Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 104 Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 105 Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 106 Charge Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 107 Personal Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 108 Personal Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 109 Personal Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 110 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 111 Commercial Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 112 Commercial Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 113 Commercial Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 114 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

GENERAL PURPOSE PRE-PAID CARD TRANSACTIONS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 115 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 116 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 117 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 118 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 119 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards by Type: % Number of Cards 2004-2008

Table 120 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 121 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 122 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 123 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 124 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 125 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

STORE CARD TRANSACTIONS IN CANADA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 126 Store Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 127 Store Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 128 Store Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 129 Store Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 130 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 131 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 132 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 133 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 134 Store Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013