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Financial Cards and Payments in the United Kingdom

Publisher Euromonitor International
Published Jan 16, 2026
Length 65 Pages
SKU # EP20773186

Description

After a bumpy two years, financial cards and payments in the UK stabilised in 2025, but remained volume-led, with modest transaction values outpacing cards in circulation. Headline inflation hovered near the target for much of the year, and policy rates began to ease, helping normalise day-to-day spending. The effect was most evident in more frequent, lower-value transactions. Consumers tapped for coffees, transport and top-up grocery runs rather than consolidating purchases. As a result, transa...

Euromonitor International's Financial Cards and Payments in United Kingdom report establishes the size and structure of the market for ATMs cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, pre-paid cards and store 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.

Product coverage: Financial Cards in Circulation, Mobile Payments, Transactions.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Financial Cards and Payments market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Table of Contents

65 Pages
Financial Cards and Payments in the United Kingdom
Euromonitor International
January 2026
List Of Contents And Tables
FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Contactless and mobile wallets cement their dominance
BNPL faces regulatory challenges amid explosive growth
AI and sustainability redefine card innovation
WHAT’S NEXT?
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
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Lloyds benefits from partnership with Visa and strong brand equity
Revolut sees rapid expansion in the UK
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Number of POS Terminals: Units 2020-2025
Table 2 Number of ATMs: Units 2020-2025
Table 3 Value Lost to Fraud 2020-2025
Table 4 Card Expenditure by Location 2025
Table 5 Financial Cards in Circulation by Type: % Number of Cards 2020-2025
Table 6 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2025
MARKET DATA
Table 7 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 8 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2020-2025
Table 9 Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 10 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 11 Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 12 Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 13 M-Commerce by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 14 M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 15 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 16 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 17 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 18 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 19 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 20 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2025-2030
Table 21 Forecast Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 22 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 23 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 24 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 25 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 26 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 1 Research Sources
DEBIT CARDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Growth for the category across metrics in 2025
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
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
WHAT’S NEXT?
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
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Power players of UK debit payments continue to expand
Barclays vies for share with superior user experience
CATEGORY DATA
Table 27 Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 28 Debit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 29 Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 30 Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 31 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 32 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 33 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 34 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 35 Forecast Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 36 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 37 Forecast Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 38 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
CREDIT CARDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Experiences underpin personal credit card growth, with 2025 momentum steady and ticket sizes higher
BNPL usage remains widespread at checkouts, with regulatory oversight ahead
WHAT’S NEXT?
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
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Issuers concentrated among ‘big four’
American Express benefits from increased merchant acceptance
CATEGORY DATA
Table 39 Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 40 Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 41 Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 42 Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 43 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 44 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 45 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 46 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 47 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 48 Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 49 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 50 Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 51 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 52 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 53 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 54 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 55 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 56 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 57 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 58 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 59 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 60 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 61 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 62 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 63 Forecast Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 64 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 65 Forecast Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 66 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 67 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 68 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 69 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 70 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 71 Forecast Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 72 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 73 Forecast Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 74 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
CHARGE CARDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Usage contracts as consumers prioritise flexibility and cost control
Commercial charge card marginalised by digital efficiency and corporate controls
WHAT’S NEXT?
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
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Consolidation deepens as innovation bypasses charge cards
UK Banks continue to channel investment into credit and debit cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 75 Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 76 Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 77 Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 78 Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 79 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 80 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 81 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 82 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 83 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 84 Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 85 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 86 Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 87 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 88 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 89 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 90 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 91 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 92 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 93 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 94 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 95 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 96 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 97 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 98 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 99 Forecast Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 100 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 101 Forecast Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 102 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 103 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 104 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 105 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 106 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 107 Forecast Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 108 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 109 Forecast Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 110 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
PRE-PAID CARDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
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
WHAT’S NEXT?
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
CATEGORY DATA
Table 111 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 112 Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 113 Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 114 Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 115 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 116 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 117 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 118 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 119 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 120 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 121 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 122 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 123 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 124 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 125 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 126 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 127 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 128 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 129 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 130 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 131 Forecast Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 132 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 133 Forecast Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 134 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 135 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 136 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 137 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 138 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
STORE CARDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
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
WHAT’S NEXT?
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
Competitive landscape consolidates as category continues to lose appeal
Notable decline even for primary issuer of store cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 139 Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 140 Store Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 141 Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 142 Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 143 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 144 Store Cards: Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 145 Forecast Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 146 Forecast Store Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 147 Forecast Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 148 Forecast Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER

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