Global digital payment transactions set for 10% growth, report finds &raquo; GTNews.com
Global digital payment volumes are projected to grow 10% with 426.3 billion transactions in 2015, up from 8.9% growth in 2014 that saw 387.3 billion transactions, according to World Payments Report 2016 by Capgemini and BNP Paribas. Contributing factors include strong economic growth in key developing countries, improved security measures and government schemes that spur electronic payments in developing markets. The highest growth rate,16.7%, occurred in developing markets and mature markets grew 6%. The top four markets were the US, Eurozone, Brazil and China.
Global digital payment volumes continue to increase, with annual growth projected to top 10% for the first time to reach 426.3 billion transactions in 2015, up from the record-setting 8.9% growth in 2014 (387.3 billion transactions). This is according to the World Payments Report 2016 (WPR) jointly produced by Capgemini and BNP Paribas.

The growth in digital payment transactions is largely being driven by strong economic growth in key developing countries, improved security measures such as EMV and biometrics, and government initiatives designed to encourage electronic payments in developing markets, as the cost of cash continues to rise.

However, this growth comes as banks face increasing demand for seamless, secure digital transaction services, particularly from corporate customers, spurring transaction banks to accelerate investment and collaboration amongst banks and/or with fintechs to reduce time to market in delivering differentiating digital transaction experiences.

Growth in digital payments occurred across all regions, with developing markets experiencing the highest rates (16.7%) and mature markets growing at 6.0%, although mature markets still account for 70.9% of total global volumes. For the first time, China surpassed the UK and South Korea in digital transaction volumes, taking fourth position among the top ten markets globally, behind the US, Eurozone and Brazil.

Cards remain the fastest growing digital payments instrument since 2010, while cheque usage continues to decline. Immediate payments have the potential to drive growth in digital transactions as an alternative to cash and checks, but efforts are needed to educate stakeholders, provide more value-added services, and upgrade infrastructure at merchants and corporates.