Tech success story: Debit cards

All the talk about the rise of mobile banking--in fits and starts--reflects the fact that technology driven services can find rapid uptake in the financial services industry.

Debit cards are one reminder of this. According to the Towergroup, debit cards are now used for just over 50 percent of all non-cash sales. That's up from just 1 percent in 1990. Today, these cards are used more often than credit cards. Lots of factors played into this: The technology for merchants was seen as a good investment. More people opted for direct deposit. People are more wary of adding to their debt loads. Indeed, the recession seems to have really pushed debit card usage into a new area. In the near future, usage will only rise, as smartphone applications are rolled out and contact-less cards systems are developed. 

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