Introduction
Payment Cards in Italy is an invaluable guide to a growing European card market. Created using a combination of secondary and primary research, this report provides statistics on market size competitor market shares and card acceptance. It also provides an overview of regulation, competitor activities and product innovation, it concludes with market forecasts and a SWOT analysis.

Scope
The focus of the report is on consumer payment cards, as opposed to commercial products.
Data and analysis provided on debit cards, credit cards and deferred debit and charge cards.
The report parameters extend to issuance only. Merchant acquiring and card processing are not covered.
Historic market data is presented 2001-2005, with forecast data presented to 2010. Competitor market shares are presented for 2005.
Highlights
Italy has a relatively low level of market penetration, having 0.9 cards per person at the end of 2005. In terms of market penetration, this ranks Italy fourteenth out of the 17 European countries examined. The low level of penetration indicates that the Italian market is not as mature as some and hence has the potential to grow at a quicker rate.

With an average of just nine transactions per card per year, it is clear that Italians do not use revolving credit cards frequently. Deferred debit and charge cards are used more often, with an average of 23 transactions per card per year, whilst pay now cards are the most frequently used type of payment card in Italy.

The number of POS terminals grew by a third between 2001 and 2004, by which time there were over one million terminals in Italy. This means that Italy has the third largest POS acceptance network in Europe, behind Spain and France. The population per POS ratio fell to 57 in 2004.

Reasons to Purchase
Learn detailed information about the Italian payment card market, including card numbers broken down by type, transaction values and frequencies.
Understand the structure of the Italian payment cards market, including the regulatory environment and its impact on the market.
Access detailed forecasts to 2010, specifying card numbers, transaction values and transaction volumes, broken down by card type.

Introduction
Payment Cards in Italy is an invaluable guide to a growing European card market. Created using a combination of secondary and primary research, this report provides statistics on market size competitor market shares and card acceptance. It also provides an overview of regulation, competitor activities and product innovation, it concludes with market forecasts and a SWOT analysis.

Scope
The focus of the report is on consumer payment cards, as opposed to commercial products.
Data and analysis provided on debit cards, credit cards and deferred debit and charge cards.
The report parameters extend to issuance only. Merchant acquiring and card processing are not covered.
Historic market data is presented 2001-2005, with forecast data presented to 2010. Competitor market shares are presented for 2005.
Highlights
Italy has a relatively low level of market penetration, having 0.9 cards per person at the end of 2005. In terms of market penetration, this ranks Italy fourteenth out of the 17 European countries examined. The low level of penetration indicates that the Italian market is not as mature as some and hence has the potential to grow at a quicker rate.

With an average of just nine transactions per card per year, it is clear that Italians do not use revolving credit cards frequently. Deferred debit and charge cards are used more often, with an average of 23 transactions per card per year, whilst pay now cards are the most frequently used type of payment card in Italy.

The number of POS terminals grew by a third between 2001 and 2004, by which time there were over one million terminals in Italy. This means that Italy has the third largest POS acceptance network in Europe, behind Spain and France. The population per POS ratio fell to 57 in 2004.

Reasons to Purchase
Learn detailed information about the Italian payment card market, including card numbers broken down by type, transaction values and frequencies.
Understand the structure of the Italian payment cards market, including the regulatory environment and its impact on the market.
Access detailed forecasts to 2010, specifying card numbers, transaction values and transaction volumes, broken down by card type.