Consumer
Consumer Finance

Consumer Finance in Sweden

Sweden

Euromonitor International's Consumer Finance in Sweden 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: 142  |  Publication date: Mar 2009
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  • Get insight into trends in market performance
  • Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
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Product coverage

Consumer lending; Financial cards and payments

Executive summary

Consumer Spending Mixed as Economy Slows

High interest rates are impacting sales of those big ticket items most sensitive to rate increases such as cars, boats and houses which all showed steady decline in demand in 2008. Consumer retail spending data for the same period was mixed with positive growth seen in durables and a slightly negative drop-off in consumables. With the current uncertainty in the global market and a general slowing of the Swedish economy into 2009 it remains to be seen to what extent purse strings will tighten in the short to medium term.

Swedish Competition Authority Proposes Changes to Banking Regulations

Following a report from Nordic competition authorites the Swedish Competition Authority, Konkurrensverket, presented a number of new proposals that promote competition among all Swedish banking players in the domestic market. Konkurrensverket hopes that these new measures will benefit customers by fostering stronger competition and in turn better services at cheaper prices moving forward. The recommendations have been put forward to Swedish regulators and entail the following; payment systems should have transparent, non-discriminatory rules and that new, small and foreign enterprises are given access to payment systems on equal terms. Secondly, clear rules are required to avoid a conflict of interests between owners of payment systems who are also a customer of the same system. Thirdly, customers should be given the opportunity to compare what different banks are offering and that more information should be provided on the Internet by government agencies and consumer organisations. Lastly, more effective measures should be put in place to make it easier for consumers to switch banks.

Debit Card Transactions Soar

Card data for 2008 showed Swedes are using their debit cards at record levels. The trend follows on the back of impressive 2007 data where transaction turnover soared towards the SEK500 billion mark. A number of factors help explain the sudden jump in debit card transactions. Firstly, one of Sweden’s largest banks Svenska Handelsbanken replaced over 50,000 virtually redundant ATM cards with its new Frikort debit card product. This move helped boost total debit card use and subsequent transactions as well as spur the use of debit cards over cash to pay for items. Also supporting higher debit card use was a notable increase in the distribution of new POS terminals in retail outlets.

Contactless Payment Interest Extends to Swedish Retailers

To date, contactless payment card initiatives have largely been associated with the Swedish public transport system. The benefit for transport operators is primarily payment transaction efficiency as large volumes of customers can be processed easily and quickly. The same benefits apply to large, high-volume Swedish retailers. In a survey commissioned by Visa Europe and conducted by the Centre for Retail Research, 300 large and medium-sized businesses were interviewed about their future plans for electronic payment systems. The survey revealed that 53% of Swedish retailers are expected to deploy electronic kiosks or PDA-type devices for reading contactless cards.

Cash Use Still Too High According to Central Bank

Sweden’s Central Bank, Riksbanken, has undertaken an analytical study into the cost of cash versus cost of payment card when purchasing. The study is part of the Central Bank’s long-term goal of improving automation and efficiency in the Swedish payment system. The analysis calculated total costs to society associated with either payment instrument and found anything above SEK70 best suited payment by card while below this figure, including micro-payments, cash was the better option. When this threshold of SEK70 is matched against current average cash spend, the results indicate that Swedes are using cash for purchases too high in value where it would be more cost effective using a payment card. This trend reflects the fact that Sweden historically has a higher rate of cash use than its Nordic neighbours partly because of fees being applied at POS terminals but not when withdrawing cash at ATMs. To encourage better payment system efficiency the Central Bank argues that fees should be applied where actual costs are incurred.

Table of contents

CONSUMER FINANCE IN SWEDEN : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Consumer Spending Mixed as Economy Slows

Swedish Competition Authority Proposes Changes to Banking Regulations

Debit Card Transactions Soar

Contactless Payment Interest Extends to Swedish Retailers

Cash Use Still Too High According to Central Bank

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Payment Cards Continue Their Popularity

Top Tier Banks Maintain Market Dominance

Steady Demand For E-Commerce Related Payment Applications

Sweden Catching Up: Payment Cards Finally Winning Over Cash

Slow Start for M-Commerce Applications

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 SWEDEN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Negative mortgage growth for 2008

Property repossesions double

Swedes use tax rebates to reduce personal debt

Record household debt and negative saving levels

Authorities clamp down on high credit lending fees

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Increase In Household Indebtedness

Fast Money Lending Products Entice Young Borrowers

Non-Performing Consumer Loans Up Slightly

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 - SWEDEN

ICA AB - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 3 ICA Banken AB: Key Facts

Summary 4 ICA Banken AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

NORDEA BANK AB - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 Nordea Bank AB: Key Facts

Summary 6 Nordea Bank AB: Group Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN AB - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 7 Svenska Handelsbanken AB: Key Facts

Summary 8 Svenska Handelsbanken AB: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

XPON CARDS AB - FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS - SWEDEN

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 9 XPonCard AB: Key Facts

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

ATM TRANSACTIONS IN SWEDEN

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 SWEDEN

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 SWEDEN

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 SWEDEN

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 SWEDEN

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 SWEDEN

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 Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 131 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 132 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

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

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