HKMA released Q1 2026 payment card statistics. Credit cards reached 29.18 million, up 33.4% YoY. Transaction value was HK$311.3 billion. Debit card transaction value was HK$70.8 billion.
This article was generated using SAMS, an AI technology by Timothy Loh LLP.
SPOTLIGHT ON
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On Thu, 18 Jun, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ("HKMA") disseminated payment card statistics for the first quarter of 2026. Quarterly publication commenced in June 2010 to enhance industry transparency in line with international practice.
Credit Card Circulation and Transaction Metrics
By the end of Q1/2026, credit cards in circulation totaled 29.18 million, a 7.0% quarterly and 33.4% annual increase. Transaction volume reached 384.94 million (down 2.3% quarterly, up 15.8% annually), while transaction value amounted to HK$311.3 billion (down 0.1% quarterly, up 13.6% annually).
Transaction Value Breakdown
Retail spending in Hong Kong comprised HK$211.5 billion (67.9%), overseas retail spending HK$90.3 billion (29.0%), and cash advances HK$9.5 billion (3.1%) of the total transaction value.
Debit Card Circulation and Performance
The total number of debit cards in circulation is unavailable due to brand overlaps. Debit card transaction volumes and values regarding retail sales and bill payments are subject to seasonal factors. In Q1/2026, transaction numbers decreased by 2.0% to 52.65 million, while value increased by 1.7% to HK$70.8 billion. Compared to Q1/2025, the number dropped by 3.4% and value by 4.1%.
Statistical Compilation and Definitions
Statistics are compiled from data on credit and debit cards issued in Hong Kong by authorized institutions ("AIs") and non-authorized institutions (non-AIs) under the schemes of eight payment card operators: American Express International, Inc., Discover Financial Services (Hong Kong) Limited, EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited ("EPSCO"), JCB International (Asia) Ltd, Joint Electronic Teller Services Ltd. ("JETCO"), MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., UnionPay International Co. Ltd and Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited.
Credit Card Specifications
A credit card issued in Hong Kong carries one credit card brand. The circulation count includes cards with credit functions under operator schemes, excluding EPSCO and JETCO. Some credit cards also carry debit functions, allowing purchases or ATM withdrawals via direct account debiting.
Transaction Metrics and Disclaimers
Credit card transaction totals refer to activity via credit accounts under operator schemes, excluding EPSCO and JETCO. Since March 2015, a Hong Kong/overseas spending breakdown of credit card retail sales transactions has been provided. Debit card transaction figures refer to transactions made via debiting cardholders’ bank accounts. Caution is warranted when combining credit and debit retail sales figures due to the possibility of double counting, as some operators do not operate debit card schemes.
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