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COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Issuers concentrated among ‘big four’
Visa and Mastercard continue to dominate issuance and acceptance, with American Express expanding in terms of acceptance and maintaining a stronghold in premium and commercial segments. On the issuing side, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays and HSBC collectively hold roughly half of the outstanding credit card debt, with NatWest also prominent and specialists such as Capital One and NewDay active in defined customer niches, leaving competitive dynamics shaped by pricing power, rewards economics and data-driven risk management.
American Express benefits from increased merchant acceptance
American Express has continued to push UK acceptance and, via its Worldpay agreement announced last year, offers SMEs simpler onboarding, single-statement reconciliation, and streamlined servicing, supporting both consumer and commercial card relevance. At the same time, fee sensitivities can still surface at scale, illustrated by eBay’s decision to stop accepting Amex globally, citing processing costs.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Credit Card Transactions industry in United Kingdom with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
If you're in the Credit Card Transactions industry in United Kingdom, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Credit Card Transactions in United Kingdom report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Credit Card Transactions in United Kingdom?
- What are the major trends key to understanding Credit Card Transactions in United Kingdom?
- How has COVID-19, recession and macroeconomic volatility impacted the market?
- How long will the market take to recover? What are the opportunities now?
- How will political context and shifting cultural values shape future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Charge Cards in the United Kingdom - Category analysis
Charge Cards in the United Kingdom - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Usage contracts as consumers prioritise flexibility and cost control
Commercial charge card marginalised by digital efficiency and corporate controls
Personal charge cards towards gradual decline in a digital-dominant landscape
Commercial charge cards will be sidelined by integrated expense platform
Consolidation and strategic retrenchment set to continue
Consolidation deepens as innovation bypasses charge cards
UK Banks continue to channel investment into credit and debit cards
Table 1 Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 2 Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 3 Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 4 Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 5 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 6 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 7 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 8 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 9 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 10 Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 11 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 12 Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 13 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 14 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 15 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 16 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 17 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 18 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 19 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 20 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 21 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 22 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 23 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 24 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 25 Forecast Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 26 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 27 Forecast Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 28 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 29 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 30 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 31 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 32 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 33 Forecast Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 34 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 35 Forecast Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 36 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Credit Cards in the United Kingdom - Category analysis
Credit Cards in the United Kingdom - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Experiences underpin personal credit card growth, with 2025 momentum steady and ticket sizes higher
BNPL usage remains widespread at checkouts, with regulatory oversight ahead
BNPL regulations expected to encourage card-funded instalments and steadier e-commerce volumes and value
Card rails to remain spine of UK payments, but PSR remedies on scheme and processing fees could reshape pricing and acceptance
Future opportunities cluster around wallets and tokenised card credentials rather than displacement
Issuers concentrated among ‘big four’
American Express benefits from increased merchant acceptance
Table 37 Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 38 Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 39 Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 40 Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 41 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 42 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 43 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 44 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 45 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 46 Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 47 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 48 Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 49 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 50 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 51 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 52 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 53 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 54 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 55 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 56 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 57 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 58 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 59 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 60 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 61 Forecast Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 62 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 63 Forecast Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 64 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 65 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 66 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 67 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 68 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 69 Forecast Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 70 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 71 Forecast Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 72 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Debit Cards in the United Kingdom - Category analysis
Debit Cards in the United Kingdom - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growth for the category across metrics in 2025
Debit cards strengthen their dominance in the UK
Cash and cheque usage continues to fade as electronic options hold sway
AI-based acceleration behind debit card innovations
Soft POS and tap-to-pay to unlock the long tail for debit
Regulatory dynamics set to play a key role in growth of segment
AI innovation will continue apace, with a focus on security
Power players of UK debit payments continue to expand
Barclays vies for share with superior user experience
Table 73 Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 74 Debit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 75 Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 76 Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 77 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 78 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 79 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 80 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 81 Forecast Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 82 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 83 Forecast Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 84 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Pre-Paid Cards in the United Kingdom - Category analysis
Pre-Paid Cards in the United Kingdom - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Open loop pre-paid grows on “controlled-exposure” safety and wallet integration
Closed loop pre-paid sees growth thanks to gift cards
Youth and family propositions scale pre-paid with bite-sized literacy
Financial inclusion and gift card momentum will underpin growth, especially in digital formats
Open loop travel pre-paid cards to keep growing, but face a higher bar as banks push for fee-free debit abroad
Transport closed loop cards will continue to decline as contactless PAYG expands beyond London
Table 85 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 86 Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 87 Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 88 Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 89 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 90 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 91 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 92 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 93 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 94 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 95 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 96 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 97 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 98 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 99 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 100 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 101 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 102 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 103 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 104 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 105 Forecast Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 106 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 107 Forecast Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 108 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 109 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 110 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 111 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 112 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Store Cards in the United Kingdom - Category analysis
Store Cards in the United Kingdom - Company Profile
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Retailer credit consolidates as store cards migrate to digital credit under looming BNPL rules
Debit card issuers offer auto-earn rewards
Gift cards cement their lead over store cards as pre-paid, digital-first budgets rule
Store cards set to decline steeply as digital credit and BNPL dominate
BNPL will continue to present further threat
Consolidation will deepen as store card issuers retreat and retailers pivot towards digital credit
Competitive landscape consolidates as category continues to lose appeal
Notable decline even for primary issuer of store cards
Table 113 Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 114 Store Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 115 Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 116 Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 117 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 118 Store Cards: Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 119 Forecast Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 120 Forecast Store Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 121 Forecast Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 122 Forecast Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Financial Cards and Payments in the United Kingdom - Industry Overview
KEY DATA FINDINGS
KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS
Contactless and mobile wallets cement their dominance
BNPL faces regulatory challenges amid explosive growth
AI and sustainability redefine card innovation
Growth set to be driven by increased transactions for everyday purchases
UK policy will shape the direction of the category
Steady outlook for the years ahead
Lloyds benefits from partnership with Visa and strong brand equity
Revolut sees rapid expansion in the UK
Table 123 Number of POS Terminals: Units 2020-2025
Table 124 Number of ATMs: Units 2020-2025
Table 125 Value Lost to Fraud 2020-2025
Table 126 Card Expenditure by Location 2025
Table 127 Financial Cards in Circulation by Type: % Number of Cards 2020-2025
Table 128 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2025
Table 129 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 130 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2020-2025
Table 131 Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 132 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 133 Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 134 Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 135 M-Commerce by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 136 M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 137 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 138 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 139 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 140 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 141 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 142 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2025-2030
Table 143 Forecast Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 144 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 145 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 146 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 147 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 148 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Summary 1 Research Sources
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Credit Card Transactions
- Commercial Credit Card Transactions
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- Average Personal Credit Card Balance
- Average Personal Credit Card Limit
- Personal Credit Card Utilisation
Credit Card Transactions
Credit cards allow for purchases against a preapproved line of credit. The account holder has the choice of whether to pay off the entire balance each month or opt for monthly instalments with the balance serving as revolving credit. If the cardholder decides to revolve a balance, the consumer pays interest. Credit cards can include affinity cards, reward cards and types of co-branded cards. Co-branded retailer cards—issued by retailers acting as financial institutions and without usage restrictions—are included in this category. Cards issued by a retailer with usage limited to a specific store within a predefined retail group fall under the store cards definition. Debit cards with an overdraft function are not counted as cards with a credit function. Payments are tracked based on the country of residence / account issuance and include outbound spend while excluding inbound spend.
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This report originates from Passport, our Credit Card Transactions research and analysis database.
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