Roadmap to Profits in China's Credit Card Issuing Market

China's credit card market continues to grow rapidly during the first half of 2007. By the end of this year, the number of credit cards in circulation in China is anticipated to reach 100 million. However, profitability has become a major concern for card issuers, processors, vendors, investors, as well as other stake-holders. Consumer behavior, regulations, competition, interest rates, interchange fee rates, among other factors, make profitability challenging for many issuers in China, at least in the near future. As the prime market becomes saturated in certain segments, issuers may begin to find it difficult to sustain recent high-speed growth. Issuers should revise their strategies in order to maintain a balance between sustainable growth and healthy profits. Innovation, increased efficiency and product differentiation among other factors are important for long-term growth and profitability in China's credit card market.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) December 8, 2007 -- China's credit card market continues to grow rapidly during the first half of 2007. By the end of this year, the number of credit cards in circulation in China is anticipated to reach 100 million. However, profitability has become a major concern for card issuers, processors, vendors, investors, as well as other stake-holders. Consumer behavior, regulations, competition, interest rates, interchange fee rates, among other factors, make profitability challenging for many issuers in China, at least in the near future. As the prime market becomes saturated in certain segments, issuers may begin to find it difficult to sustain recent high-speed growth. Issuers should revise their strategies in order to maintain a balance between sustainable growth and healthy profits. Innovation, increased efficiency and product differentiation among other factors are important for long-term growth and profitability in China's credit card market.

Terry Xie, Director of Mercator Advisory Group's International Advisory Service and principal analyst on this report comments, "Although some challenges still exist in China's credit card industry today, it is quite hopeful that most large credit issuers in China could realize profits within 2 to 3 years by adjusting some of their market strategies. The market as a whole continues to grow and conditions continue to improve making profitability in the credit card business highly possible."        

Although some challenges still exist in China's credit card industry today, it is quite hopeful that most large credit issuers in China could realize profits within 2 to 3 years by adjusting some of their market strategies. The market as a whole continues to grow and conditions continue to improve making profitability in the credit card business highly possible.

The most recent report from Mercator's International Advisory Service provides both qualitative and quantitative analyses on the profitability of China's credit card issuing market. This report also provides key insights on how to realize long-term profitability in the market, based on the current state of and trends in China's payment card industry, regulatory issues, Chinese consumers' income and behavior, and competing issuers' strategies.    

Report Highlights:

• China's credit card market continues to enjoy rapid growth in 2007, as the number of credit cards will likely double and purchase volume might increase by about 40 percent from last year.
• Multiple challenges still exist -- low revolving balances, low interchange fees and intense competition, among other factors, have hindered the industry's profitability as a whole. And as the prime market becomes increasingly saturated, issuers will find it difficult to sustain the high growth rates they have enjoyed so far.
• Issuers need to readjust the focus of their strategies in order to maintain a balance between growth and profits. Innovation, market segmentation and product differentiation will be key in market competition in the next 5 years and will determine if China's credit card issuers could realize profitability.
• This report provides both qualitative and quantitative analyses on the profitability of China's credit card issuing market. This report also provides key insights on how to realize long term profitability in China's credit card issuing market, based on the current state of and trends in China's payment card industry, regulatory issues and Chinese consumers' income and behavior, and competing issuers' strategies.

Members of Mercator Advisory Group have access to these reports as well as the upcoming research for the year ahead, presentations, analyst access and other membership benefits. Please visit us online at www.mercatoradvisorygroup.com.

For more information call Mercator Advisory Group's main line: 781-419-1700.

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