- UK Cards and Payments Market Insights 2021-2025 and Growth Outlook 2026-2030 Featuring Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Barclays, HSBC, Santander and More
May 13, 2026
Company Logo
Key market opportunities include the rise of e-commerce, growth of open banking with Paytently and Mastercard's collaboration, and increasing popularity of contactless payments exemplified by Edinburgh's Tap-on, Tap-off system
Dublin, May 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UK Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2030" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The report offers an in-depth analysis of the UK cards and payments industry's current and forecast market trends. This comprehensive report presents quantitative values and volumes for vital performance indicators such as cards, credit transfers, direct debits, cash, and cheques from 2021-2025 with projections extending to 2030.
This detailed examination sheds light on various payment card markets within the industry, focusing on the number of circulating cards, transaction values, and volumes during the assessed and forecast periods (2026f-30f). In addition, the competitive landscape, detailing market shares of issuers and schemes, is analyzed.
Compiled using expert research, modeling, and analysis, the report assists banks and card issuers in pinpointing segment dynamics and competitive advantages. Moreover, it covers regulatory policies and recent changes impacting the regulatory structure.
The report delivers top-level market analysis and insights into the UK cards and payments industry, highlighting:
Current and projected values for each market, including debit, credit, and charge cards. In-depth insights into payment instruments and alternative payment methods. Comprehensive ecommerce market analysis. Examination of market drivers and regulatory frameworks. Analysis of strategies adopted by financial institutions to promote debit, credit, and charge cards. Insights into consumer preferences and card usage. The industry competitive landscape is detailed.
Key Highlights
Ecommerce is expanding, aided by advancements in logistics. Amazon plans to roll out its Prime Air drone delivery service in the UK, starting with the Darlington center in 2025. The MK30 drone achieved approval in 2026, with service launches anticipated. Open banking is advancing. In September 2025, Paytently and Mastercard introduced an A2A payment solution, enhancing merchant conversion rates and cash flow. Contactless payments are rising in popularity. Edinburgh's ToTo system allows users to tap contactless cards or devices for seamless multimodal transportation, marking over a million journeys by October 2025.
Report Scope
Analysis of card market size and segmentation in terms of transaction numbers, value, and volume. Market sizing for major payment instruments including cards, transfers, debits, cash, and cheques. Trends and growth forecasts for both historical and forecast periods. Competitor analysis with insights into leading issuers and schemes. Consumer attitudes and preferences towards card usage. Summary of key alternative payment methods in the UK.
Story Continues
Reasons to Buy
Make informed strategic business decisions with historical and forecast market data. Comprehend key market trends and prospects for growth within the UK cards and payments industry. Evaluate competitive dynamics and gain insights into marketing strategies for various card types. Understand the regulations affecting the UK's cards and payments industry.
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
Lloyds Banking Group NatWest Group Barclays HSBC Santander Nationwide Building Society Banco Sabadell Capital One Vanquis Bank Virgin Money The Co-operative Bank American Express Diners Club Visa American Express Klarna Google Pay Apple Pay Samsung Pay PayPal Click to Pay
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rktitl
About ResearchAndMarkets.com
ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
View Comments
- European Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Decline Sharply in Tuesday Trading
May 12, 2026
European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were down significantly late Tues
PREMIUM
Upgrade to read this MT Newswires article and get so much more.
A Silver or Gold subscription plan is required to access premium news articles.
Upgrade
Already have a subscription? Sign in
- UK 30-Year Yields Top 1998 High as Political Crisis Deepens
May 12, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- The UK bond market tumbled, driving long-term bond yields back to the highest in nearly three decades, as speculation over Prime Minister Keir Starmer future as prime minister renewed concern about the weakened state of Britain’s finances.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Iran Makes New Offer on Uranium in Response to US, WSJ Says Inside a Year of Chaos and Conflict at Kevin Hart’s Media Company Epstein's Black Card: How He Moved Women With His Amex Modi Asks Indians to Stop Buying Gold, Hitting Jewelry Stocks
Gilts fell across the board, with the 30-year yield briefly touching 5.81%, the highest since 1998. The pound slid 0.7% to $1.3517. NatWest Group Plc and Lloyds Banking Group Plc led losses among UK stocks as analysts speculated that the industry faces higher taxes under a new administration.
Even as Starmer rebuffed calls for his resignation in a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, investors were analyzing what his possible replacements would mean for the bond market.
The chief concern is that any new Labour leader would be more left-leaning and may loosen the fiscal rules that have restrained borrowing. With the economy already facing a crunch from higher energy prices and faster inflation, the fragmentation of British politics has become another source of market anxiety.
“The simple reality is that this latest pressure in a now long line of political upheavals merely adds to the view that no matter who is in power, no matter their political leaning, there does not appear to be a credible plan to restore the country’s finances,” said Matt Cairns, head of fixed income strategy at Rabobank. “Gilts will remain under pressure, regardless of today’s outcome.”
Gilts pared some of the moves later in the session. The 30-year yield rose as much as 14 basis points and was trading at 5.76% as of 11:08 a.m. in London. In equities, the UK moves were broadly in line with the rest of the global market. The FTSE 100 Index dipped 0.5% and the mid-cap index fell 1.1%.
While bond markets around the world have sold off recently as oil prices stay stubbornly high, the combination of the UK’s heavy debt load, political infighting and a sluggish economy have left it especially vulnerable. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has previously said debt costs account for around £1 in every £10 the government spends.
And with borrowing costs climbing higher, the government will have to spend even more. The 20 basis-point jump in the 10-year yield since Friday adds an estimated £2 billion to the debt interest bill by the end of the decade, according to Bloomberg Economics.
Story Continues
What Bloomberg Strategists Say...
“If the BOE hikes rates to the extent currently priced by markets, the negative growth implications could show a stark contrast to the US and drag cable lower. Alternatively, if concerns over the growth outlook for the UK sees the BOE take a more measured approach, the pound could lose its rate advantage at the front-end of the curve over peers. UK yields will likely remain elevated as markets fret over the possibility of a fiscally looser future government, a pound negative.”
—Adam Linton, macro strategist. For the full analysis, click here.
Among the likely Labour candidates, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is seen as one of the most market friendly replacements. He’s vouched for a deeper trading relationship with the European Union, citing it as the best way to grow Britain’s economy. He added that he’s “really uncomfortable” with the level of taxation in the UK, saying that the government is asking a lot from individual taxpayers and businesses.
“Even if Starmer resigns, the political uncertainty is unlikely to end,” said Roger Lee, head of equity strategy at Cavendish. “To stabilize the gilt market the government may have to commit to the fiscal rules and the only candidate seemingly prepared to do that is Wes Streeting.”
Angela Rayner, another possible contender, has attempted to reassure investors that the Labour Party will keep a tight grip on public finances. But she previously led a cabinet revolt against Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plans to slash welfare spending. She’s also faced scrutiny for her personal tax affairs, with her failure to pay enough property tax forcing her out of her role as deputy prime minister last year.
Many are also expecting a challenge from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, even though he is not currently a member of parliament. He’s criticized the government’s economic approach, claiming the country is “in hock to the bond markets.”
Last year, Burnham promised to increase government borrowing by £40 billion to pay for more council homes to be built. Members of Starmer’s administration were quick to dismiss this, warning that he risks spooking the bond market.
For investors, the recent episode is reviving memories of the market turmoil back in 2022, when former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ mini-budget sparked a crisis that sent the pound to a record low and gilt yields surging.
Since then, the gilt market has played a major role in UK political discourse. Starmer and Reeves have defined their agenda by a commitment to self-imposed fiscal rules designed to reassure investors they won’t borrow too much. That stance has curbed the government’s capacity to spend as generously on public services as many in the Labour Party would like, fueling discontent among lawmakers.
--With assistance from Greg Ritchie, Sujata Rao and Georgia Hall.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
Behind the Claude Frenzy That Ate Up All the Mac Minis A $400 AI Bet That’s Actually a High-Stakes Wager on the Future of Work America’s Most Infamous Nuclear Site Returns to Fuel the AI Boom Raising Cane’s Grew From an Idea a College Professor Hated The Messy, Humiliating Courtroom Drama Between Elon Musk and OpenAI
©2026 Bloomberg L.P.
View Comments
- FTSE 100 Index drops as Barclays, NatWest, and Lloyds sink amid 2 key risks
May 12, 2026 · invezz.com
The FTSE 100 Index retreated for the fourth consecutive day, reaching its lowest level since March 30th. It has dropped by over 6.30% from its highest point this year as geopolitical risks jumped.
- Britons could gain £3,500 by letting bank app give money tips, study finds
May 10, 2026
British households could pocket an extra £3,500 over a decade by letting their banking app send alerts about bills or nudges about how to manage their money, according to a new study.
But a bank boss stressed that it was a “fine balance” between helping people and being overly involved in their spending decisions.
An estimated £100 billion could be made available to UK households over the next 10 years if digital banking tools were widely adopted, research by Lloyds Banking Group found.
This is the equivalent of around £3,500 per household.
The research looked into the benefits of a range of digital helpers like budgeting alerts that warn people before accounts slip into the red, or notifications in their banking app to spotlight a better mortgage or credit card deal.
It found that the biggest financial gains could be available for those who are sitting on excess cash that could be put into investment products and build wealth over time – particularly benefiting mid-life savers or households with a mortgage.
But it also showed that lower-income households stand to get the biggest uplift as a proportion of their income, through easier debt management, access to credit and better everyday money management like keeping track of bills.
The research involved economic modelling by Professor John Gathergood from the University of Nottingham to calculate the potential financial gains to UK households over a 10-year period.
It covered a range of ways that people with varying incomes and financial situations could benefit from digital prompts and tools.
The study comes at a time of heightened uncertainty over the impact of the Middle East energy shock on the UK economy, with banks including Lloyds forecasting a worsening picture for growth, inflation and unemployment.
Jas Singh, who heads up consumer relationships for Lloyds’ retail bank, said he had not yet witnessed a spike in customers reaching out about concerns over their jobs or finances, such as during Covid-19 or the height of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Some people will contact us to say, how do I manage my bills better… but I haven’t seen a really big surge of more people cancelling subscriptions,” Mr Singh said, although he did highlight “people saving a bit more”.
On the topic of digital tools, Mr Singh acknowledged the need to strike the balance to make sure that prompts are personalised and relevant and avoid being invasive or unnecessary.
“It’s a fine balance between where we see we should lean in further and where it’s extremely reactive,” he told the Press Association.
Story Continues
“In my experience it works best to make suggestions to people which are contextual to them and their life circumstances.
“I think if the banks were giving you notifications to say ‘I can see you’ve just spent on a coffee at Costa’, I’m not sure that’s the role society expects banks to play.
“‘How much have I spent on coffee last month?’ – I think that’s a more relevant place to be in.”
View Comments
- Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) Valuation Check After Recent Share Price Weakness
May 9, 2026
Track your investments for FREE with Simply Wall St, the portfolio command center trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.
How Lloyds Banking Group Shares Have Been Moving
Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) has seen its share price move in different directions over recent periods, with a small 1 day gain, a modest rise over the past week, and declines over the past month and the past 3 months.
For context, the stock closed at £0.99, with a return of 1.1% over 1 day, 0.8% over 7 days, a 3.0% decline over the past month, and a 7.2% decline over the past 3 months.
Over longer horizons, the total return profile looks different, with a 0.2% decline year to date, compared with gains of 41.1%, 152.0%, and 161.5% over the past 1, 3, and 5 years respectively.
See our latest analysis for Lloyds Banking Group.
Recent share price weakness over the past quarter contrasts with a strong 1 year and multi year total shareholder return. This suggests that earlier optimism has cooled as investors reassess growth potential and risks.
If Lloyds has you thinking about what else might be moving, this could be a good moment to broaden your search with the 5 top founder-led companies
With Lloyds trading at £0.99, alongside an indicated intrinsic discount and a gap to analyst targets, the key question is whether recent weakness leaves the stock undervalued or whether the market is already pricing in future growth.
Most Popular Narrative: 12.2% Undervalued
Against the last close of £0.99, the most followed narrative puts Lloyds Banking Group’s fair value at £1.13, with that gap driven by specific earnings and margin assumptions rather than market sentiment.
Operational leverage from cost discipline, ongoing investment in AI and data analytics, and successful execution of cross-division growth initiatives, particularly in bancassurance, insurance, and fee-generating "capital-lite" businesses, are expected to support strong capital generation, improved net margins, and resilient ROE as Lloyds transitions more of its earnings base away from low-growth, commoditized lending activities.
Read the complete narrative.
Curious what earnings profile underpins that higher fair value? The narrative leans on steady revenue expansion, fatter margins, and a different mix of fee income. The exact numbers may surprise you.
Result: Fair Value of £1.13 (UNDERVALUED)
Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.
However, this depends on a supportive UK backdrop and disciplined digital execution. Weaker domestic growth or faster moving fintech rivals could quickly challenge that fair value story.
Story Continues
Find out about the key risks to this Lloyds Banking Group narrative.
Another View: Earnings Multiple Sends A Different Signal
The SWS DCF model points to fair value of £1.91, which is much higher than the current £0.99 share price and implies Lloyds trades at a large discount. This contrasts with the 12.5x P/E, which is higher than both the European Banks average of 11.1x and the fair ratio of 9.8x. This raises the question of which lens you trust more.
Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value.LLOY Discounted Cash Flow as at May 2026
Next Steps
Seeing mixed signals on valuation and sentiment and wondering what matters most right now? Take a close look at the full picture of risks and potential rewards before the next move is priced in, starting with the 3 key rewards and 3 important warning signs.
Ready For More Investment Ideas?
If you stop at Lloyds, you could miss other compelling setups. Use the screener to quickly spot stocks that better match your risk, income, and value preferences.
Target dependable income by scanning for companies that resemble sturdy payers using the 4 dividend fortresses. Hunt for potential bargains by filtering for quality companies that appear mispriced with the 8 high quality undervalued stocks. Prioritise resilience by focusing on companies with robust finances through the solid balance sheet and fundamentals stocks screener (18 results).
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include LLOY.L.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
View Comments
- European Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Rise Friday
May 8, 2026
European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were higher late Friday morning,
PREMIUM
Upgrade to read this MT Newswires article and get so much more.
A Silver or Gold subscription plan is required to access premium news articles.
Upgrade
Already have a subscription? Sign in
- UBS Upgrades Lloyds Banking Group (LYG) to Buy
May 7, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) is one of the
10 Best European Stocks That Beat Earnings Estimates to Buy.
On April 30, 2026, UBS upgraded Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to 115 GBp from 110 GBp previously. The firm described the business as “growing strongly” while trading at an undervalued level.
On April 29, 2026, Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) reported Q1 EPS of 2.4p versus 1.7p last year and underlying net interest income of GBP 3.569B compared to GBP 3.294B. CEO Charlie Nunn said the group delivered “sustained strength” in financial performance, with income growth, cost discipline, and strong profitability, while maintaining a resilient business model amid economic uncertainty and reiterating its 2026 outlook.UBS Upgrades Lloyds Banking Group (LYG) to Buy
Image by MayoFi from Pixabay
The company continues to expect underlying net interest income above GBP 14.9B, a cost income ratio below 50%, an asset quality ratio of about 25 basis points, return on tangible equity above 16%, capital generation above 200 basis points, and a CET1 ratio of around 13.0%.
Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) provides banking and financial services to retail and commercial customers in the United Kingdom.
While we acknowledge the potential of LYG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.
Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
View Comments
- How Is Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LYG)’s Other Income Strategic Plan Going?
May 6, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG) is one of the best large cap penny stocks under $10 to buy now. Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG) reported strong Q1 2026 results and reiterated its upbeat outlook for the rest of the year.How Is Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LYG)’s Other Income Strategic Plan Going?
It posted an after-tax profit of £1.6 billion, representing an increase of 37% YoY. The quarter was supported by higher interest rates and continued cost discipline. The bank’s loans to large businesses increased 10%, while loans to consumers jumped 15% in the first three months of 2026. The bank is in the process of developing other income sources outside interest earnings tied to its traditional lending business. This effort was launched in 2022, and it entered its final year in 2026. This strategic plan includes building fee-based income sources. The bank’s other income, from sources like fees, increased 11% YoY in Q1, outpacing the 8% growth of net interest income. Investments, insurance, and pensions management are a big part of the bank’s other income. Lloyds Banking said income from these businesses surged 22% in Q1. This growth was supported by the bank’s acquisition of Schroders Personal Wealth in Q4. Looking ahead, the bank expects its full-year 2026 underlying net interest income to exceed £14.9 billion and return on tangible equity to be greater than 16%. Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG) is a leading UK-based financial services group. It provides a broad range of banking and financial services to retail and commercial customers. The group includes household brands such as Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and Scottish Widows. While we acknowledge the potential of LYG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Stocks to Buy in a Rising Market According to Wall Street Analysts and Goldman Sachs Gold Stocks: Top 10 Stock Picks. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
View Comments
- Financial Services Industry Collaborates to Test Real-World Cyber Readiness
May 6, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group, Hack The Box, and Google Cloud Security Host the First UK Financial Services Security Hackathon
NEW YORK, May 06, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over the course of two days (April 27-28), banks, fintech companies, technology providers and regulators from across the UK financial ecosystem came together for a cybersecurity competition designed to test real-world readiness, decision-making under pressure and the ability to defend critical financial infrastructure against sophisticated attacks.
Hosted by Lloyds Banking Group, Hack The Box and Google Cloud Security, the UK Financial Services Security Hackathon brought together 33 teams from 16 organizations. Each team consisted of two individuals, reflecting the need for tight collaboration under pressure.
The Nine Lives With Zero Days team, made up of a Machine Learning engineer and a senior Penetration Tester, was crowned winner at the end of the competition. This highlights the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity skills in modern defense strategies.
Their win underscored a central theme of the event that while AI is becoming an increasingly powerful force in cybersecurity, human expertise remains at the core. AI can accelerate repetitive or clearly defined tasks, but real-world defense relies on context, judgment, adaptability and the ability to navigate multiple possible paths. Hands-on experience is what builds the instincts and decision-making that tools alone cannot replace.
Matt Rowe, Chief Security Officer of Lloyds Banking Group, said, "This event demonstrated how simulated real-life exercises help organizations strengthen defensive capabilities, improve readiness under pressure and build stronger collaboration across the wider financial services ecosystem. In a highly connected sector, resilience depends not only on individual organizations, but on how effectively we prepare and respond together."
Participants tackled challenges across web exploitation, digital forensics, OSINT investigations, cryptography and payment systems security, competing to uncover vulnerabilities and secure systems under pressure. The challenges also reflected the role of AI in both attack and defense scenarios, allowing teams to combine technical cybersecurity expertise with emerging AI capabilities.
The event also highlighted the importance of measurable cyber readiness in financial services, where highly interconnected systems, evolving threats and rapid incident escalation mean performance in the first hours of an attack can be critical.
Story Continues
Nikos Fountas, Chief Operating Officer of Hack The Box, said, "Cybersecurity is not just about what teams know, it is about what they can do when it matters most. Exercises like this move organizations from static training to proving real-world readiness. They prepare security professionals, test judgment under pressure and benchmark performance against peers across the industry.
"As AI becomes more capable, the human element is still critical. It is much like chess. Although machines can outperform humans, people continue to study and play because the value lies in the thinking process - the pattern recognition, creativity and decision-making. In cybersecurity, it is these instincts and the ability to make the right decisions under pressure that ultimately strengthen resilience."
The winning Nine Lives With Zero Days team said, "We are shocked and thrilled to win, and it has not yet sunk in. The two days have been both amazing and challenging. And the AI challenges were our favorite."
About Hack The Box
Hack The Box is the leading cyber readiness platform for the agentic era, battle-testing and upskilling both humans and AI agents to enhance organizational cyber resilience. Trusted by the Fortune 500, government agencies, and MSSPs, the platform delivers threat-informed learning paths consisting of real-world scenarios in gamified labs and live-fire simulations that build and validate offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. With a loyal community of more than 4 million members and 800+ enterprise customers, Hack The Box empowers teams and intelligent systems alike to strengthen cyber defenses and reduce breach risk effectively. For more information, visit hackthebox.com.
Find us on:
LinkedIn - Facebook - Instagram - X - Discord - YouTube
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260506618293/en/
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Hack The Box
Sofia Vourlaki
ophiv@hackthebox.com
US PR - The Nova Method
Justine Schneider
jschneider@thenovamethod.com
UK PR - PRPR
Tracey Treanor
traceyt@prpr.co.uk
View Comments
