Introduction

Prepaid cards are likely to further increase the competition of Asia Pacific's plastic cards market. This card is set to become the new phenomenon in the market as issuers attempt to increase their market shares. This report analyses the prepaid card market so far and how lessons in the UK, US and Europe can give Asia-Pacific issuers the edge over other competitors

Scope

*This briefing covers prepaid cards in the financial sector in Asia-Pacific. Prepaid gift cards in the retail sector are not included.

*It includes extensive information on the different types of prepaid cards in circulation and analyses their strengths and weaknesses.

*The briefing is based on in depth interviews from prepaid card issuers and extensive secondary research.

Highlights

Branded prepaid cards are relatively widely spread in the US although the concept is only just starting to spread to elsewhere in the world. Among the major European countries, Italy and Spain seem to have taken an interest in prepaid products. In Asia-Pacific, prepaid cards barely exist although retail gift cards have expanded recently.

There are two consumer markets that are likely to be the prepaid card battle group; teenagers and the corporate and government client. Given that more than one current player is investigating both these markets, more prepaid card players are expected to enter the segment in the near future.

An important issue that players need to address in order to increase take-up is the high price involved with prepaid cards. Players need to address each niche separately and consider whether the targeted segment can bear the charges involved. For instance, fees on teen pre-paid cards should be minimized given that teens have a limited budget.

Reasons to Purchase

*It provides you with a thorough understanding of the prepaid card market and discusses where the opportunities lie.

*The expert opinion of Datamonitor's Cards Team on the future of each prepaid product type is a definite guide for building up your strategies.

*The profiles of prepaid players covered in the briefing provide you with valuable information on winning strategies.

Introduction



Prepaid cards are likely to further increase the competition of Asia Pacific's plastic cards market. This card is set to become the new phenomenon in the market as issuers attempt to increase their market shares. This report analyses the prepaid card market so far and how lessons in the UK, US and Europe can give Asia-Pacific issuers the edge over other competitors



Scope



*This briefing covers prepaid cards in the financial sector in Asia-Pacific. Prepaid gift cards in the retail sector are not included.

*It includes extensive information on the different types of prepaid cards in circulation and analyses their strengths and weaknesses.

*The briefing is based on in depth interviews from prepaid card issuers and extensive secondary research.



Highlights



Branded prepaid cards are relatively widely spread in the US although the concept is only just starting to spread to elsewhere in the world. Among the major European countries, Italy and Spain seem to have taken an interest in prepaid products. In Asia-Pacific, prepaid cards barely exist although retail gift cards have expanded recently.



There are two consumer markets that are likely to be the prepaid card battle group; teenagers and the corporate and government client. Given that more than one current player is investigating both these markets, more prepaid card players are expected to enter the segment in the near future.



An important issue that players need to address in order to increase take-up is the high price involved with prepaid cards. Players need to address each niche separately and consider whether the targeted segment can bear the charges involved. For instance, fees on teen pre-paid cards should be minimized given that teens have a limited budget.



Reasons to Purchase



*It provides you with a thorough understanding of the prepaid card market and discusses where the opportunities lie.

*The expert opinion of Datamonitor's Cards Team on the future of each prepaid product type is a definite guide for building up your strategies.

*The profiles of prepaid players covered in the briefing provide you with valuable information on winning strategies.