According to National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), first time during last 7 years the total number of active payment cards reduced by 2.586 mln while the number of consumers using banking cards grew by 1.509 mln in 2008. Paymentcardpenetrationexceeded 80%. Market participants notice reduce of demand for payment cards and wait for market stagnation because of unemployment increase.

Only segment of  bank cards for individuals (98.7% of Ukrainian market) reduced in 2008. Basically credit and debit cards’ usage were stopped. Totally as a result of the second half of 2008 number of credit cards, issued by Ukrainian banks, reduced by 3.156 mln.

Kommersant (Ukraine) Newspaper