According to the European Central Bank definition, "card with a credit function enables cardholders to make purchases and in some cases also to withdraw cash up to a pre-arranged ceiling. The credit granted can be settled in full by the end of a specified period or may be settled in part, with the balance taken as extended credit on which interest is usually charged. The holder is sometimes charged other fees, such as an annual fee. The distinguishing feature of a card with a credit function, in contrast to a card with a debit function or a delayed debit function, is the contractual agreement granting the cardholder a credit line allowing for extended credit."
In order to access data: check under Statistical Data Warehouse, access: Payments, then Payment Card Functions. Choose geographic areas and export "cards with credit function".
Citation formats
Number of cards with a credit function in the UK 2012-2019
The total number of cards with a credit function issued in the United Kingdom (UK) fluctuated between 2012 and 2019. It can be seen that the total number of cards issued with a credit function reached a peak during this period of time in 2015, when approximately 59 million such cards were issued. As of the end of 2019, the number of credit cards in the United Kingdom amounted to approximately 58.7 million. In 2019, around 38 million credit card accounts were active each month.
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ECB. (September 15, 2020). Total number of cards with a credit function issued in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2019 (in millions) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/865673/number-of-cards-with-a-credit-function-uk/
ECB. "Total number of cards with a credit function issued in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2019 (in millions)." Chart. September 15, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/865673/number-of-cards-with-a-credit-function-uk/
ECB. (2020). Total number of cards with a credit function issued in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2019 (in millions). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/865673/number-of-cards-with-a-credit-function-uk/
ECB. "Total Number of Cards with a Credit Function Issued in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2012 to 2019 (in Millions)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 15 Sep 2020, /statistics/865673/number-of-cards-with-a-credit-function-uk/
ECB, Total number of cards with a credit function issued in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2019 (in millions) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/865673/number-of-cards-with-a-credit-function-uk/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Total number of cards with a credit function issued in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2012 to 2019 (in millions) [Graph], ECB, September 15, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/865673/number-of-cards-with-a-credit-function-uk/
