Cards

As evolving consumer habits have increased card usage, new technology is providing consumers with more choice and a full range of digital channels to make and accept card payments. Uniquely, credit cards also allow customers to borrow to help them to manage their money more easily from day-to-day. 

In 2017 more than 20.8 billion transactions worth around £943 billion were processed through card systems. Our figures show debit cards have now overtaken cash as the most popular way to pay. Much of the rise in debit and credit card usage can be attributed to contactless payments, which increased by 97 per cent in 2017, but also to the role cards have long occupied as a payment method used across a variety of industry sectors. 

UK Finance represents the interests of a broad range of participants in the UK card ecosystem and wider payment acceptance community. We provide a single, strong voice to help shape industry direction. We help our members navigate through the complex card and credit legislative and regulatory landscape to deliver changes - and our expert team provides insight and analysis in regular highly-valued reports, communications and bespoke market research.