British millennials choose convenience over security

The results show that 93% of consumers under the age of 30 cannot imagine leaving the house without their phone and would rather forget their wallet than the all-important gadget. However, despite this reliance on the mobile device, an overwhelming majority (86% of respondents) believe the mobile is one of the least secure ways to make payments, alongside cheques and contactless cards.

When asked what their primary way of paying would be in 10 years, nearly a quarter (22%) of millennials think they will be paying by phone – coming second to multiple methods (39%). The fact that millennials believe they will mainly be paying by mobile in 10 years, even though they consider it to be one of the least secure ways to pay, shows that the age group values convenience over security.

Compass Plus compared these results to the survey they took in 2018 and noticed that the millennial generation is still unsure about the security of mobile payments. In 2018, mobile was also voted the second least secure payment method, behind using multiple methods (44%) and almost a third of surveyed under 30s saw it as their primary payment method in 10 years’ time – although this number has dropped to 22% a year later.

In addition, the survey revealed a completely different perception of cash by those under the age of 30. Despite not seeing cash as a future of payments, the younger consumers consider cash to be one of the most secure payment methods. It came 3rd after credit and debit cards with an impressive trust rating of 75% amongst millennials.

The continued reliance on cash is also reflected in millennials’ regular use of ATMs. Though not the largest age group to actively perform ATM transactions (57% of over 60s use ATMs weekly or more often), millennials still find themselves regularly making a trip to the nearest self-service terminal – almost 40% do it at least once a week.

Compass Plus has been undertaking research into consumer and industry expectations of the payments market since 2011, and 2019’s survey took in the views of 200 consumers across the UK, who were asked to describe their current payment habits and how they think these may change in the future.