HKMA: Hong Kong's total credit card transaction volume in the second quarter was HK$286.5 billion, up 6.8% year-on-year.

On September 18, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority released statistics on payment cards issued in Hong Kong for the second quarter of 2026. At the end of the second quarter of 2026, the total number of credit cards in circulation was 31.03 million, up 6.3% quarter-on-quarter and up 36.1% year-on-year. Credit card transaction volume and value (including retail sales and cash loans) are susceptible to seasonal factors and the overall economic environment, and their trends are relatively volatile. In the second quarter of 2026, the total number of credit card transactions was 403.94 million, an increase of 4.9% from the previous quarter and an increase of 12.2% from the same period in 2025. The total value of credit card transactions in the second quarter of 2026 was HK$286.5 billion, a decrease of 8.0% from the previous quarter and an increase of 6.8% compared with the same period in 2025. Of the total transaction value, HK$186.7 billion (65.2%) was Hong Kong spending, HK$91.1 billion (31.8%) was overseas spending, and HK$8.8 billion (3.1%) was cash loans. As for debit cards, because the same debit card may carry more than one debit card brand, it is difficult to calculate the total number of debit cards in circulation. As with credit card transactions, the volume and value of debit card transactions involving retail sales and bill payments are also affected by seasonal factors. In the second quarter of 2026, the total number of debit card transactions involving retail sales and bill payments increased by 5.2% quarter-on-quarter to 55.39 million, while the total value decreased by 13.6% quarter-on-quarter to HK$61.1 billion. Compared with the same period in 2025, the total number of debit card transactions in the second quarter of 2026 decreased by 4.3%, and the total value decreased by 8.0%. The payment card statistics are compiled based on quarterly data on credit cards and debit cards issued under the credit card and/or debit card schemes of eight payment card scheme operators. In June 2010, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority began publishing quarterly payment card statistics in accordance with international practice to enhance the transparency of Hong Kong's payment card business.