Debit Growth Continuing; Will Flat Portfolio Sales Pick Up?

SAN FRANCISCO – Debit cards have continued their steady march into the hearts, wallets and financial lives of America’s consumers this year and will likely continue to do so as these graphs show. From 1996 – when debit cards constituted 10% of the payment pie – and electronic payments, pre-paid cards and other payment methods accounted for 2%, the payments market has changed enough that, by 2008, debit cards are projected to account for 16% and other forms of payment for 17%. As of this year at least, the majority of these debit payments will be made through Visa cards, mostly through retail outlets but also through a growing use of debit cards for utilities and other monthly bills and fast food restaurants.