Number Of Active Cards Fell To Lowest Level Since March 2008

05.17.2011 By Bostan Radu

The number of active cards in Romania decreased by 619,815 in the first quarter, to 10.58 million, the lowest level since March 2008, although the total value of transactions has grown compared to the same period of last year, central bank data showed Tuesday.

Cards are considered "active" if they were used in at least one transaction during the relevant period.

The number of active cards at the end of March was 867,188 below the level of March 2010, when 11.44 million active cards were reported.

A total of 12.52 million valid cards were in circulation at the end of March, down by 258,546 compared to the similar period of 2010, and down by 60,379 compared to the end of last year.

The number of valid debit cards was 10.58 million in end-March, up 104,654 from December 2010 and 46,404 higher compared to the end of the first quarter 2010.

On the other hand, the total number of valid credit cards circulating at the end of March 2011 was 1.94 million, the lowest amount since March 2008, 181,348 lower than in December 2010 and 311,235 lower than in March 2010.

Nonetheless, the value of transactions using debit cards grew in the first three months by 19.5% compared to the same period of 2010, to 3.56 billion lei (EUR867 million). Credit cards were used in transactions worth RON667.14 million, up more than 25% from the first quarter of 2010.

Cash withdrawals from Romanian ATMs using cards issued by local banks amounted to RON21.35 billion in the first quarter, up 5.44% on the year, while ATM deposits grew 4.73% to RON879.6 million.

Romanian POS transactions using locally-issued cards increased 7.19% on the year, to RON2.99 billion in the first quarter. Romanians preferred to use cards to pay foreign vendors directly, rather than withdraw cash from ATMs. Foreign withdrawals using Romania-issued cards amounted to RON364.2 million, while foreign POS payments totaled RON892.9 million.

Foreign cards were used in Romania mainly for cash withdrawals (RON505 million) and, more rarely, in POS payments (RON212.89 million).

Romanian banks continued to invest in ATMs and points-of-sale. In March, Romania had 10,173 ATMs, up only 71 from December and 349 more than in March 2010. The POS network grew by 1,877 terminals in the first quarter and by 9,561 on the year, to 108,381 terminals.