Consumer
Consumer Finance

Consumer Finance in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Euromonitor International's Consumer Finance in the United Kingdom 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: 132  |  Publication date: Jun 2009
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  • Get insight into trends in market performance
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Product coverage

Consumer lending; Financial cards and payments

Executive summary

Current value growth slows in many areas due to economic concerns

The UK economy suffered a worsening performance towards the end of the review period, with this resulting in growing concern among both financial companies and consumers. Consequently, the supply of credit reduced, with many credit card issuers thus withdrawing cards from high-risk borrowers or reducing credit limits. Simultaneously, many consumers cut back on their spending, with this resulting in slowing current value growth for many financial cards towards the end of the review period.

Growth driven by pre-paid cards in 2008

Card volume however saw considerably stronger growth in 2008 over the previous year in comparison to the review period CAGR. Growth was notably driven by pre-paid cards, with an upsurge in both general purpose pre-paid cards and "other" pre-paid cards. This was due to a number of new entrants towards the end of the review period, along with good growth for transport cards, gift cards and electronic travellers’ cheque cards.

Card providers focus on low-risk customers

With financial companies becoming increasingly risk-averse, there was a growing focus on low-risk customers towards the end of the review period. This saw a growing focus on commercial financial cards. Within credit cards, for example, commercial credit cards continued to grow in card volume terms in 2008, while personal cards declined. High-risk customers meanwhile were forced to opt for high-interest credit cards, with many even opting to use high-interest store cards as a line of credit. Those with poor credit ratings were also increasingly forced to opt for basic bank accounts offering ATM-only cards.

Leading banks lose share

The leading UK banks continued to account for the majority of financial cards in circulation, with the leading players in 2007 being Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Barclays Group Plc, Lloyds TSB Group Plc, HSBC Holdings Plc and HBOS Group. However, many of these players lost share in 2007 over the previous year. This was partly due to growing competition and the dynamic growth of pre-paid cards, where the leading banks have little presence. In addition, this trend was due to the leading banks withdrawing cards from high-risk customers, due to becoming more risk-averse in the light of the economic downturn.

Muted growth as economy recovers

The UK economy is not expected to fully recover until the middle of the forecast period, with economic concerns thus continuing to constrain growth for financial cards. The strongest growth is expected to be seen in pre-paid cards during the forecast period, with these used for a wider range of applications. Meanwhile, with consumers keen to reduce debts, there is expected to be a continued decline in constant value transactions for credit cards and store cards during the forecast period.

Table of contents

CONSUMER FINANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Current value growth slows in many areas due to economic concerns

Growth driven by pre-paid cards in 2008

Card providers focus on low-risk customers

Leading banks lose share

Muted growth as economy recovers

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

UK economy becomes very unsteady during 2008

ATMs continue to shift to free ATMs

Contactless cards expand in scope

M-payments offer another way to pay

Consumers switch to financial cards for travel

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

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - UNITED KINGDOM

HOME RETAIL GROUP - CONSUMER FINANCE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 2 Home Retail Group: Key Facts

Summary 3 Home Retail Group: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY - CONSUMER FINANCE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 4 Nationwide Building Society: Key Facts

Summary 5 Nationwide: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

NEWCASTLE BUILDING SOCIETY - CONSUMER FINANCE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 6 Newcastle Building society: Key Facts

Summary 7 Newcastle Building Society: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

PAYPOINT PLC - CONSUMER FINANCE - UNITED KINGDOM

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 Paypoint PLC: Key Facts

Summary 9 Paypoint PLC: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

ATM TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 24 ATM Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 25 ATM Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 26 ATM Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 27 ATM Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 28 ATM Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 29 ATM Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 30 ATM Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 31 ATM Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

DEBIT TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 32 Debit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 33 Debit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 34 Debit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 35 Debit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 36 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 37 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 38 Debit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 39 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 40 Debit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 41 Debit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 42 Debit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 43 Debit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 44 Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 45 Credit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 46 Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 47 Credit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 48 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 49 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 50 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 51 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 52 Commercial Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 53 Commercial Credit Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 54 Commercial Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 55 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 56 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 57 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 58 Credit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 59 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 60 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 61 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 62 Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 63 Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 64 Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 65 Credit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 66 Personal Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 67 Personal Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 68 Personal Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 69 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 70 Commercial Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 71 Commercial Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 72 Commercial Credit Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 73 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

CHARGE CARD TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 74 Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 75 Charge Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 76 Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 77 Charge Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 78 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 79 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 80 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 81 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 82 Commercial Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 83 Commercial Charge Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 84 Commercial Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 85 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 86 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 87 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 88 Charge Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2003-2007

Table 89 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 90 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 91 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 92 Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 93 Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 94 Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 95 Charge Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 96 Personal Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 97 Personal Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 98 Personal Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 99 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 100 Commercial Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 101 Commercial Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 102 Commercial Charge Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 103 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

GENERAL PURPOSE PRE-PAID CARD TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 104 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 105 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 106 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 107 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 108 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards by Type: % Number of Cards 2004-2008

Table 109 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2003-2007

Table 110 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2003-2007

Table 111 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 112 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 113 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 114 General Purpose Pre-paid Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

STORE CARD TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 115 Store Cards Sector Performance: 2003-2008

Table 116 Store Cards Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2003-2008

Table 117 Store Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 118 Store Cards in Circulation Sector Performance: % Growth 2003-2008

Table 119 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2003-2007

Table 120 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: 2008-2013

Table 121 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: Number of Cards in Circulation 2008-2013

Table 122 Store Cards Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

Table 123 Store Cards in Circulation Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2008-2013

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