Consumer Finance

While consumers in the Middle East and Africa region continue to increase their usage of card payments and the digitalisation of the financial industry also continues to advance, cash still remains important in many countries, especially the African…

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the potential market strategies for companies in Sub-Saharan Africa amidst the current cost of living crisis. It details how companies can leverage affordability, technology, and values to cater to the…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

Pre-paid cards in the United Arab Emirates is experiencing a surge in innovation and growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advances, and the increasing popularity of digital payments. Mobile reloading options, such as bank…

The United Arab Emirates continues its journey towards a cashless society, with the continued adoption of digital payment solutions, contactless cards, and the emergence of supplementary payment platforms or solutions in pre-paid cards that support…

Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular in the United Arab Emirates, driven by the convenience and safety they offer. Banks are accelerating the adoption of contactless payment technology, embedding NFC (Near Field Communication) chips…

The credit cards category in the United Arab Emirates is set to experience strong growth by all measures in 2023, fuelled by a combination of favourable economic conditions, evolving consumer preferences, and the adoption of new technologies. The…

Aligned with historical patterns, there is expected to be an ongoing decrease in the number of charge cards in circulation in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, even though transaction value is set to show growth across both the commercial and…

Despite rising inflation, increasing mortgage rates and interest rates, consumer lending in the United Arab Emirates remains buoyant in 2023. The local economy’s recovery and expansion are influencing the momentum of consumer lending, but…

Banks in the United Arab Emirates continue to offer attractive card lending offers in 2023. With many credit cards now having appealing credit limits depending on the salary range and credit score of consumers, many banks are offering to convert…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

Pre-paid cards are benefitting from the Kingdom’s move towards a cashless society – especially so in certain areas. For example, as seen with the uptake of pre-paid cards for the payment of workers’ salaries, notably so for domestic workers. In this…

Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to transform itself into a cashless society – starting even before the event of the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered digital evolution in industries globally. In this regard, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…

Debit cards continue to make up a large portion of all financial cards in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, debit cards are even more prevalent than credit cards in the KSA, owing to a number of factors, such as wide acceptance and convenience of use, as well as…

Credit cards are not as popular as debit cards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, however, the category still shows a fair performance. One main issue which credit cards face in the KSA is a question mark around their compliance with Sharia Law.…

Charge cards follow a typical pattern in Saudi Arabia, where such cards have a set consumer base consisting of, mainly, affluent Saudi citizens who use these cards while travelling. Therefore, the rebound of travel and tourism following the pandemic…

In 2023, closed loop pre-paid cards witnessed a decline in transaction value and volume, consistent with a continuing trend as consumers increasingly shift towards payment apps. Despite some consumers still having significant value loaded onto their…

In 2023, Israel is experiencing a notable surge in the use of digital wallets, largely driven by the rising number of providers and the inherent convenience they offer. The entry of major players like Apple Pay in late 2021 significantly boosted the…

In 2023, Israel experienced a notable surge in debit card usage as more individuals opted to pay with credit cards instead of cash. The number of debit cards in circulation increased remarkably. Furthermore, the volume of transactions using debit…

In early 2023, the Israeli government is set to mandate Discount Bank to divest its credit card business, Visa Cal, aiming to enhance competition within the credit card market. This move will introduce a new player to the credit market, fostering a…