Credit cards remain the most widely held consumer credit product; they are a fundamental component of FIs’ service portfolios. However, buy-now-pay-later services are growing at twice the rate of traditional credit cards, consumer credit card balances are creeping upward year over year, and the percentage of people paying their full monthly balances has dropped.

This report examines the adoption trends, consumer preferences, and competitive dynamics affecting major credit cards and store credit cards in the U.S. market. It provides strategic insights and tactical recommendations for executives and strategists responsible for credit card profitability and growth based on a Q1 to Q2 2025 Datos Insights study of 4,864 consumers in the U.S., Canada, and select European countries, with a focus on the U.S. subset of 1,500 consumers.
Clients of Datos Insights’ Retail Banking & Payments service can download this report.
About the Author
David Shipper
David Shipper is a Strategic Advisor in the Retail Banking & Payments practice at Datos Insights. His focus is on debit and credit cards. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, David brings to Datos Insights more than 15 years of experience leading card and payment strategies for financial institutions in the U.S. Prior to joining Datos Insights, David managed the debit card and mobile...