When you are developing a feeling of swiping your credit card more frequently and yet spending less each time, the figures will explain to you the reason. The December data indicate that the transactions are increasing rapidly, and the total expenditure is increasing gradually. We have witnessed a tremendous change in the way individuals spend cards towards large purchases and smaller and minor payments. A report by Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates discovered that average expenditure per card increased by a small margin to 17,672. Nevertheless, the average spend per transaction increased month on month and declined 12 percent annually. This implies that the users are paying less money for fewer bills.
This is up 24.2 percent this year on year to 537 million total credit card transactions. Expenditure howeve,r increased by a low percentage of 8.8 to 2.05 trillion. The difference implies that the cards are now used for shopping, subscriptions, and spending on daily goods as opposed to travel, electronics, or any other big bills. The issuing of cards is on the increase. In December, the banks added 0.92 million additional cards, resulting in a total number in force of 115.8 million. Mid-sized competitors, including IDFC First Bank and Federal Bank, had faster growth compared to the big competitors, extending their card base aggressively.
Payments made online are now at the forefront of use. The proportion of card spending made digitally is about 62 percent, as opposed to 38 percent made this way in stores. Rewards or short-term credit on a card is the favourite of many users. However, this convenience did not reflect in increased discretionary spending, with emphasis being made on cash flow management. Banks, too, are tightening the terms of cards. Alterations in the charges and compensation schemes, as well as the redemption policy, have become the norm. ICICI Bank has formulated new credit card benefits and charges. Customers have become more mindful of his/her rewards, basing the worth of rewards on usage more than on death offers.
There are mixed performances on market share trends. State Bank of India and Axis Bank got a share in the spending, whereas HDFC Bank retained its leadership at approximately 28 percent. Most of the market is still dominated by the top ten banks. To consumers, the information to them is straightforward. Cards are turning out to be a common payment instrument, as opposed to a borrowing instrument. We think this conservative action speaks of increased expenses and more stringent budgets, that convenience has taken precedence but large spending has been held back.
