Paytm’s growing leadership in credit ecosystem – co-branded credit cards at 7.5 lakh

In the current landscape of increasing disposable income and a surge in point-of-sale transactions on e-commerce platforms, the usage of credit cards has experienced a notable upswing. A glance at the Reserve Bank of India’s data reveals a consistent rise in credit card spending that has been reaching new highs each month. Leveraging these insights into customer behaviour trends, Paytm has identified opportunities and strategically introduced suitable credit products. Among these innovations, the Paytm co-branded credit cards stand out – offering customers lucrative discounts on various categories, including travel and movie tickets.

Currently, Paytm has forged valuable partnerships with HDFC Bank and SBI Card, two of India’s leading credit card issuers. These collaborations not only generate substantial upfront distribution revenue but also establish a steady lifetime usage fee stream. Users can access these exclusive cards by applying on the Paytm app.

Paytm’s co-branded credit card business has grown significantly both in terms of new card issuances as well as spends. As of June 2023, Paytm boasts of an impressive count of 7.5 lakh activated credit cards, marking an increase of 1.6 lakh cards in the quarter. This trend is expected to grow, fuelled by the robust potential of cross-selling among Paytm’s extensive user base, many of whom have already taken loans through their platform.

During the earnings call for Q1FY24, Paytm’s Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, underscored the instrumental role played by banks and NBFCs in ensuring easy credit availability for customers. He also believes there is a huge portion of customers still pending to come on board. “You can see the growth in the credit card spends, you can see the growth on BNPL equivalent, whether it is a large ticket or a small ticket on the counter is the growth direction. While the debit side has plateaued is not what I would say. There is a large customer base still pending to come on board. But definitely, credit is adding the flare of extra revenue and it will add to the net bps margin continuously,” said Sharma.

Moreover, Sharma envisions a future where credit may become a choice of payment for many. “India is at the cusp of the next payments revolution where credit will become the mainstream payment choice. Our users are already savvy on QR code-based payments and with RuPay credit cards working on UPI QR codes, transactions through mobile phones will get a further boost, marking a new era in digital payments,” he had said during the launch of Paytm SBI Credit Card.

Notably, the credit card industry in India remains largely under-penetrated, offering huge opportunities for market penetration and expansion. The landscape is open for astute players like Paytm who are poised to redefine and elevate the credit card experience for the Indian consumer.

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