The Nilson Report releases 2011 Report on Global Credit Card Brands
CARPINTERIA, Calif.--()--Transactions at merchants on general purpose payment cards carrying the American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard, UnionPay and Visa brands totaled 135.33 billion for 2011, up 14.56 billion or 12.1% over 20101, according to the annual special report on Global Credit Card Brands published by The Nilson Report, a respected trade newsletter on the payments industry.
“These results reflect a continuation of the worldwide movement from cash and checks to payment cards, both debit and credit”
“These results reflect a continuation of the worldwide movement from cash and checks to payment cards, both debit and credit,” said David Robertson, publisher of The Nilson Report.
The number of credit, debit, and prepaid cards in circulation reached 6.54 billion at the end of 2011, up 12.4% or 718.7 million. UnionPay added the most cards (534.0 million) for a 22.1% increase. Visa followed with an increase of 88.5 million cards, up 3.9%. MasterCard added 86.4 million cards, up 8.9%, JCB added 3.3 million cards, up 4.6, American Express added 6.4 million cards, up 7.0%, and Diners Club added 0.2 million cards, up 3.1%.
Of total payment cards in circulation carrying these global brands, 68.80% were debit, up from 66.60%. Total volume of consumer and commercial purchases and cash on these global card brands, credit and debit cards combined, increased by $2.295 trillion in 2011. Purchase volume for goods and services, which excludes cash advances on credit cards and cash withdrawals on debit cards, increased by 18.5%. Visa and MasterCard purchases accounted for $70 of every $100 in purchase volume, compared with $73 in 2010.
Credit cards issued to U.S. cardholders with the Visa, MasterCard, and American Express brands generated 36.78% of their total credit card purchase volume worldwide, down from 37.65% in 2010.
The Nilson Report is a highly respected source of global news and analysis of the credit, debit, and prepaid card industry. The subscription newsletter provides in-depth rankings and statistics on the current status of the industry, as well as company, personnel and product updates. David Robertson, publisher of The Nilson Report, is a recognized expert in the field, and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. Over 18,000 readers in 90 countries value The Nilson Report to track industry trends and market information.
1These purchase transactions include commercial and consumer credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Prepaid cards are included in debit figures. Visa figures include both Visa Inc. and Visa Europe.
