Analysis of UK credit card issuer data shows uplift in spending and payments

New UK credit card issuer data has shown uplift in spending and payments, according to Payments Cards & Mobile.

The data on the UK credit card market is taken from the UK’s credit card issuers through FICO Benchmark Reporting Service. FICO’s data from June and July 2020 activity provides a clear picture of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on finances.

After the dramatic fall in average spending on UK credit cards for January to May 2020 (down 27% year on year), spending in June started to increase, up 13% on May and by a further 11% in July to GBP 598. For the period January-June 2020, spending on cards dropped 8% year on year.

Accounts over their limit continue to fall

The percentage of overlimit accounts continued to drop in both months, although the rate is slowing. It was 41% lower than a year ago. However, for those accounts that are over their limit, the average amount continues to increase and is 32% higher than a year ago.

The percentage of payments to balance fell in June (reaching over a two-year low), but in July increased to 28% although they are still 14% lower than July 2019. The percentage of consumers paying less than the amount due decreased in June and July, potentially as more consumers requested a payment deferral. However, the percentage of consumers paying the amount due increased 27% in June and levelled off in July, at 9% higher than a year ago.

New account openings begin to stabilise

June and July saw the fall in the percentage of new accounts (compared to total accounts) stabilising, although it is 59% lower than a year ago; new account openings January vs. July was also 45% lower, compared to a 47% increase in the same period in 2019.

Unsurprisingly, given the big focus on contactless and online payments during the height of the pandemic, the proportion of cash spend on cards to total spend continued to decrease in June and July, reaching another over two-year low, 35% lower year on year.