Financial cards and payments in 2024: The big picture
Financial cards and payments in Canada was impacted by moderated inflation rates in 2024, following raised interest rates immediately post-pandemic when inflation was high. Now, with the situation eased somewhat, the Bank of Canada has cut rates more than once during 2024.
2024 key trends
During the review period Canada saw accelerated development of digital-only banks, such as Tangerine, Koho, EQ Bank, and Simplii, among others. Though these new banks hold only tiny market share compared to the main traditional financial institutions, they are enjoying rising awareness among Canadian consumers and several locals have started to switch from traditional banks with physical presence to digital-only options.
Competitive landscape
The Canadian market continues to be highly concentrated, with the main banks controlling most of the market share in terms of cards in circulation, accounts, transactions and value. Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) acquisition of HSBC in April 2024 has increased the former’s market share, particularly for debit and credit cards.
What next for financial cards and payments?
As e-commerce and online transactions continue to expand and attempts at fraud accelerate, enhanced security will play a key role in the forecast period in terms of consumer confidence when using cards for online transactions. In addition, December 2023 saw a signed agreement between the government of Canada, Visa and Mastercard, designed to reduce merchant fees for card usage with the aim of pushing greater merchant acceptance for all different card payments; such accept is set to continue soaring.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Financial Cards and Payments industry in Canada 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 Financial Cards and Payments industry in Canada, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Financial Cards and Payments in Canada 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 Financial Cards and Payments in Canada?
- What are the major trends key to understanding Financial Cards and Payments in Canada?
- 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?
Financial Cards and Payments in Canada - Industry Overview
Financial cards and payments in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
What next for financial cards and payments?
DISCLAIMER
Charge Cards in Canada - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cash flow restrictions reduce growth for charge cards
Small business and commercial use provide some support
High merchant fees reduce merchant acceptance
More flexibility required to reverse decline of charge cards in circulation
Lower interest rates threaten transactions and average transaction value, while low acceptance of Amex curbs category growth potential
Lack of competition leaves the door open for new operators
Credit Cards in Canada - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Outstanding average credit card balance keeps on rising, as BNPL expands
New-to-Canada credit consumers drive growth for cards in circulation
Transactions and value see faster rises in 2024
Lenders to tighten credit card approval criteria due to rising level of delinquency
Reward programmes, fees and payment flexibility will shape competition, with m-commerce offering further growth potential
Overall growth set to remain robust for both personal and commercial credit cards
Debit Cards in Canada - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
RBC acquires HSBC Canada, while small businesses continue to feel pressure from labour force shortage
Low transaction limits impact value growth
Reduced interchange fees agreement boosts merchant acceptance
Rising e-commerce will continue to support virtual debit cards
Sophisticated and flexible reward programmes to further support transactions
High chequing account fees may impact issuance of new debit cards and accounts
Pre-Paid Cards in Canada - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growth driven by demand for financial inclusion
Change in immigration regulations slows growth in transactions and value for open loop pre-paid cards
Digital pre-paid options emerge key innovation and boost consumer awareness, with young people showing rising interest
Government payouts as key target for the pre-paid market in Canada
Security continues to be a key advantage for pre-paid cards, while fintech players show growing interest
Freelancers, short-term contract workers and small businesses to drive demand, as issuers invest more incentives
Store Cards in Canada - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
While innovation and flexibility support store cards in 2024, rise of BNPL remains real threat
Limited options hinder growth potential
Low limits contribute to low transaction and average spend growth, though digitalisation offers hope
Co-branded cards could address consumers’ concerns
New features to promote greater use of store cards
Negative impact on credit score will be discouraging
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Financial Cards and Payments
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- ATM Cards
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- Commercial Charge Cards
- Personal Charge Cards
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- Commercial Credit Cards
- Personal Credit Cards
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- Commercial Debit Cards
- Personal Debit Cards
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- Closed Loop Pre-Paid Cards
- Open Loop Pre-Paid Cards
- Store Cards
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- ATM Transactions
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- Commercial Charge Card Transactions
- Personal Charge Card Transactions
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- Commercial Credit Card Transactions
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- Average Personal Credit Card Balance
- Average Personal Credit Card Limit
- Personal Credit Card Utilisation
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- Commercial Debit Card Transactions
- Personal Debit Card Transactions
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- Closed Loop Pre-Paid Card Transactions
- Open Loop Pre-Paid Card Transactions
- Store Card Transactions
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- Commercial Card Payment Transactions
- Commercial Electronic Direct/ACH Transactions
- Commercial Paper Payment Transactions
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- Personal Card Payment Transactions
- Personal Electronic Direct/ACH Transactions
- Personal Paper Payment Transactions
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- Commercial Electronic Direct/ACH Transactions
- Personal Electronic Direct/ACH Transactions
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- Commercial Cash Transactions
- Commercial Other Paper Transactions
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- Personal Cash Transactions
- Personal Other Paper Transactions
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- Mobile Proximity Payments
- Mobile Remote Payments
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Financial Cards and Payments
Payments are tracked based on the country of residence / account issuance and include outbound spend while excluding inbound spend.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
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This report originates from Passport, our Financial Cards and Payments research and analysis database.
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