Financial Cards in Argentina
Euromonitor International's Financial Cards in Argentina 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.
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Tables: 107 | Publication date: Apr 2008
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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
Financial cards in circulation; Transactions
Executive summary
Positive Development of Financial Cards Continues, Albeit at a Slower Pace
Argentina's financial cards market experienced robust growth in transactions, volume (the number of cards in circulation) and current value terms in 2007. While growth rates were slower than those recorded in 2006, the buoyant Argentinean economy ensured that the market as a whole maintained its positive development. Favourable economic conditions boosted employment and salary levels and contributed to an increase the number of financial cardholders, who in turn increased their spending.
Credit Cards Remain the Most Popular with Argentineans in 2007
As was the case in 2006, the credit cards sector accounted for the highest number of cards in circulation in 2007. Towards the end of the review period, demand for consumer credit increased steadily as Argentineans became more confident about the state of the economy. Rising demand for credit cards was also attributable to intensive promotional activities by independent operators and banks. Most issuers reduced their requirements relating to income levels for individual applicants. As a result, credit cards became affordable to greater number of low and middle income consumers.
Government and Banks Offer Incentives to Boost Financial Card Usage
Cash remained the preferred means of payment in Argentina in 2007. However, the use of financial cards increased steadily during the review period thanks to incentives like zero instalment promotions, VAT rebates and the direct payment of salaries into employees' bank accounts. Aggressive marketing campaigns by issuing banks also contributed to the rise in financial card usage. Together with positive economic prospects, these factors should ensure that the number of financial cards in circulation continues to rise over the forecast period.
Visa Is the Leading Operator While Banco Rio Is the Main Financial Card Issuer
Visa Argentina SA was the leading financial cards operator in Argentina in 2006, accounting for almost 50% of the total number of cards in circulation. Its closest rival was Argencard SA, while other operators like Tarjeta Naranja SA, American Express Argentina SA, Cabal Cooperativa de Provisión de Servicios Ltda and Diners Club International Ltd held less prominent positions. Banco Rio de la Plata SA, the biggest Argentinean private bank, was the leading issuer of financial cards in 2006. This was mainly due to the fact that it held the largest number of individual accounts. The bank's popularity is also attributable to the fact that it owns the largest network of ATMs in Argentina, in addition to having one of the biggest brand networks in the country. Both of these factors play a crucial role in its promotional campaigns.
Economic Improvements Will Continue to Drive the Development of the Market
In line with further economic improvements, the market is expected to show steady growth in current value terms, transactions and the number of cards in circulation over the forecast period. Purchasing power has been increasing sharply since the currency devaluation of 2002, and as a result all financial cards sectors should continue to show healthy growth rates.
Table of contents
FINANCIAL CARDS IN ARGENTINA : MARKET INSIGHT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Positive Development of Financial Cards Continues, Albeit at a Slower Pace
Credit Cards Remain the Most Popular with Argentineans in 2007
Government and Banks Offer Incentives to Boost Financial Card Usage
Visa Is the Leading Operator While Banco Rio Is the Main Financial Card Issuer
Economic Improvements Will Continue to Drive the Development of the Market
KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Argentinean Economy Maintains Its Steady Recovery
Consumer Credit Boom Revitalises Demand for Durable Goods
Wealthier Argentineans Continue to Favour Offshore Financial Cards
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Consumer Credit and Lending
Issuer Fraud
Acquirer Fraud
E-commerce
M-commerce
ATM and POS Terminals
Cash Withdrawal vs Card Purchase
Governmental Regulation and Legislation
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Number of POS Terminals 2004-2007
Table 2 Number of ATMs 2004-2007
Table 3 Disposable Income 2002-2007
Table 4 Consumer Credit 2002-2007
Table 5 Value Lost to Fraud 2002-2007
MARKET DATA
Table 6 Financial Cards: Transactions 2002-2007
Table 7 Financial Cards: Value 2002-2007
Table 8 Financial Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2002-2007
Table 9 Financial Cards: Number of Accounts 2002-2007
Table 10 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2007
Table 11 Card Expenditure by Sector 2007
Table 12 Card Expenditure by Location 2007
Table 13 Financial Cards: Number of Internet Transactions 2002-2007
Table 14 Financial Cards: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007
Table 15 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2002-2006
Table 16 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2002-2006
Table 17 Financial Cards: Point of Sale Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 18 Financial Cards Forecast: Transactions 2007-2012
Table 19 Financial Cards Forecast: Value 2007-2012
Table 20 Financial Cards Forecast: Number of Cards in Circulation 2007-2012
Table 21 Financial Cards: Forecast Number of Accounts 2007-2012
Table 22 Financial Cards Forecast: Number of Internet Transactions 2007-2012
Table 23 Financial Cards Forecast: Internet Transaction Value 2007-2012
DEFINITIONS
Cards by Type
Cardholder Behaviour
Card Expenditure by Sector
Value Lost to Card Fraud
Consumer Credit
Market Background
Sources
Summary 1 Research Sources
LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - ARGENTINA
ARGENCARD SA - FINANCIAL CARDS - ARGENTINA
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 2 Argencard SA: Key Facts
Summary 3 Argencard SA: Operational Indicators 2004-2006
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
BANCO DE SERVICIOS FINANCIEROS SA - FINANCIAL CARDS - ARGENTINA
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 4 Banco de Servicios Financieros SA: Key Facts
Summary 5 Banco de Servicios Financieros SA: Operational Indicators 2004-2006
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
CMR FALABELLA SA - FINANCIAL CARDS - ARGENTINA
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 6 CMR Falabella SA: Key Facts
Summary 7 CMR Falabella SA: Operational Indicators 2004-2006
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
TARJETA NARANJA SA - FINANCIAL CARDS - ARGENTINA
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 8 Tarjeta Naranja SA: Key Facts
Summary 9 Tarjeta Naranja SA: Operational Indicators 2004-2006
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
TARSHOP SA - FINANCIAL CARDS - ARGENTINA
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 10 Tarshop SA: Key Facts
Summary 11 Tarshop SA: Operational Indicators 2004-2006
COMPANY BACKGROUND
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
SMART CARDS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 24 Smart Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 25 Smart Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 26 Smart Cards: Memory vs Microprocessor 2004-2007
Table 27 Smart Cards: Contact vs Contactless 2004-2007
Table 28 Smart Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 29 Smart Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
ATM TRANSACTIONS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 30 ATM Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 31 ATM Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 32 ATM Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 33 ATM Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
DEBIT TRANSACTIONS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 34 Debit Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 35 Debit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 36 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2002-2006
Table 37 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2002-2006
Table 38 Debit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 39 Debit Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 40 Debit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 41 Debit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 42 Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 43 Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 44 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 45 Personal Credit Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 46 Corporate Credit Cards: Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 47 Corporate Credit Cards: Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 48 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2002-2006
Table 49 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2002-2006
Table 50 Credit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 51 Credit Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 52 Personal Credit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 53 Personal Credit Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 54 Corporate Credit Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 55 Corporate Credit Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 56 Credit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 57 Credit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
Table 58 Personal Credit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 59 Personal Credit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
Table 60 Corporate Credit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 61 Corporate Credit Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
CHARGE CARD TRANSACTIONS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 62 Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 63 Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 64 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 65 Personal Charge Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 66 Corporate Charge Cards: Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 67 Corporate Charge Cards: Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 68 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2002-2006
Table 69 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2002-2006
Table 70 Charge Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 71 Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 72 Personal Charge Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 73 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 74 Corporate Charge Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 75 Corporate Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 76 Charge Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 77 Charge Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
Table 78 Personal Charge Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 79 Personal Charge Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
Table 80 Corporate Charge Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 81 Corporate Charge Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
PRE-PAID CARD TRANSACTIONS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 82 Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 83 Pre-paid Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 84 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2002-2006
Table 85 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2002-2006
Table 86 Pre-paid Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 87 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2002-2006
Table 88 Pre-paid Cards by Type 2004-2007
Table 89 Pre-paid Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 90 Pre-paid Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012
STORE CARD TRANSACTIONS IN ARGENTINA
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 91 Store Cards Sector Performance: 2002-2007
Table 92 Store Cards Sector Performance: % Growth 2002-2007
Table 93 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2002-2006
Table 94 Store Cards Transactions by Acquirer 2002-2006
Table 95 Store Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: 2007-2012
Table 96 Store Cards: Forecast Sector Performance: % Growth 2007-2012