In the fourth quarter of last year, the number of payment cards in Poles' portfolios increased to PLN 46.3 million – says the National Bank of Poland. And although the cards arrived again, both the number and the value of the transactions made. The statistical customer used the card 57 times in the fourth quarter, and the average value of a single transaction was PLN 125.6.
The vast majority of cards in our portfolios are debit cards, i.e. cards issued to support savings and settlement accounts (ROR). The National Bank of Poland reports that at the end of December 2024 we had 39.4 million of them, which is 85.2 percent. all of all cards. In the fourth quarter, their number increased by less than 100,000.
The second largest category are credit cards, of which we have 5 million (which is 10.8 percent of the total). Here again their number in relation to September took place – this time by 41.8 thousand. It is worth noting here, however, that for many quarters the number of credit cards has orbits around five million – once growing slightly, once falling. The market stabilized at this level. Credit cards are plastics that allow you to use the credit limit granted by the bank.
There are two more types of cards on the market – preposed and loading. Pre -paid are cards that must first be topped up in cash – just like a “card” phone (for example for children). There are 1.7 million such cards (which is 3.66 percent of all cards). Loading is basically a dying species – there are only 170,000 of them.
Decrease in the number and value of the transaction
Interestingly, although the fourth quarter is usually characterized by more consumer expenses, but in 2024 both the number and the value of transactions made with cards fell. This applies to both non -cash transactions (i.e. card payments in stationary or online stores) and cash (i.e. cash withdrawals from ATMs, ticket office or using a cash back service). In the analyzed period, 2.7 billion transactions with payment cards with a total value of PLN 334.3 billion were carried out. Compared to the quarter preceding the number of transactions, it decreased by 4.9 percent, and the value of 0.6 percent.
In the fourth quarter, the payment card was used by customers on average 57.6 times to implement both cash and non -cash transactions (in the third quarter – 60.9 times). The average value of a single transaction made using a payment card was PLN 125.6.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, 2.5 billion non -cash transactions were carried out using payment cards, which in comparison with the preceding quarter means a decrease by 131.6 million. The value of non -cash transactions amounted to PLN 198.1 billion. The payment card was used to implement such transactions on average 55 times (in the third quarter – 58.2). The average value of a single non -cash payment was PLN 77.9. Cashless transactions – as in the preceding period – accounted for 95.5 percent. numbers of all transactions with payment cards. The remaining 4.5 percent These are cash transactions.
25 percent cards are inactive
The Polish payment card market is characterized by the dominant participation of proximity cards. The vast majority of plastics are the so -called cards with antenna. There are 45.1 million, which is 97.5 percent. all of all cards. As a curiosity, it is also worth adding that not all cards in our wallets are active. The NBP accepts at least one card transaction in a given quarter for a measure of activity. Of the 46.3 million cards issued by banks, only 75 percent are active. (34.7 million).
NBP does not explain what a decrease in the number and values of cards in the fourth quarter of 2024 may result.which, as we mentioned, should be characterized by increased expenses (holidays, gifts, New Year's Eve, etc.). However, it cannot be ruled out that some of these expenses have been financed, for example, loans, including the increasingly popular post -delayed payment service (Buy Now, Pay Later). According to the Credit Information Bureau, last year 2.60 million customers who made 129 million transactions benefited from postponed payments. More on this subject in the text is confirmed by: postponed payments are “credit kindergarten”.
