2015 NerdWallet Consumer Credit Card Report

Transcription

1 2015 NerdWallet Consumer Credit Card Report Published September 2015 Data compiled from proprietary NerdWallet data, consumer survey results and reports from various unaffiliated companies or agencies. For press inquiries or follow-up questions, please contact 2015 NerdWallet 1

2 Introduction NerdWallet s inaugural Consumer Credit Card Report is an in-depth analysis of the credit card landscape aimed at identifying the industry trends that are most important for consumers to be aware of in We analyzed internal and external data sources, then commissioned an online survey, conducted by Harris Poll, of over 2,000 adults to uncover current credit card trends. As part of our mission to deliver clarity for all of life s financial decisions, we ve scrutinized the results and found three areas consumers should focus on during the next year. This data pack will be organized according to the three key findings highlighted in the study. The data was compiled from proprietary NerdWallet data, NerdWallet consumer survey results and reports from various unaffiliated companies or agencies NerdWallet 2

3 Key Findings Fraud and EMV Online shopping fraud will likely increase and counterfeit fraud may increase before it begins to decline when EMV technology is adopted in the U.S. later this year. As EMV technology rolls out in America, we expect to see trends that surfaced in the UK when it adopted the technology in There, online shopping and other types of card-not-present fraud increased by 120% between 2004 and And though counterfeit fraud went down 63% during this time, it peaked in 2008 due to cross-border fraud. Cost of Rewards NerdWallet found that consumers are overwhelmingly applying for rewards credit cards, but 31% don t know how much they re costing them in fees, and almost one in five didn t redeem any of their rewards last year. Millennials card choices Millennials have the lowest average credit score 28.1% have scores below 579 and the shortest credit history of all age groups, and it may not improve. Some millennials are shunning credit cards completely, while others are applying for the wrong cards and being rejected, both of which are hurting their finances NerdWallet 3

4 Table of contents Key findings 1 Fraud and EMV Pages Cost of Rewards Pages Millennials Card Choices Pages Other highlights from proprietary NerdWallet data Pages NerdWallet 4

5 Key Findings: Fraud and EMV 2015 NerdWallet 5

6 Fraud and EMV: What is EMV? Credit cards with an EMV chip that small, square chip embedded in your credit card are more secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards because EMV chips create unique, temporary payment credentials for every transaction while the payment information in a magnetic stripe always stays the same. This lowers consumers fraud risk substantially because card data can t be skimmed from a magnetic stripe and put onto a counterfeit card to use for fraudulent transactions. While EMV upgrades aren t mandated for card issuers and merchants, the entity that doesn t upgrade to EMV cards or terminals will become responsible for fraudulent transactions, a change known as the liability shift, in October. Currently, issuers are responsible for fraudulent transactions. Similar liability shifts have occurred in other countries that have adopted EMV, including the United Kingdom NerdWallet 6

7 Fraud and EMV: Fraud rates in the UK As EMV expands in the U.S., we expect a repeat of the UK s experience: a spike in fraud after EMV rollout and the ongoing growth of online and other card-notpresent fraud. Fraud loss per year ( M) Annual fraud losses on UK-issued cards EMV liability shift Counterfeit Lost and stolen ecommerce Other Card-Not-Present Card ID theft Card non-receipt Sources: Financial Fraud Action UK, Fraud the Facts NerdWallet 7

8 Fraud and EMV: Consumer understanding Only 41% of consumers are aware of EMV chips basic value proposition; consumers ages 65 and up understand EMV technology much better than consumers ages Of the following credit card security measures, which do you believe is the most secure? EMV chip 38% 26% 9% Ages Magnetic stripe on the back of a credit card Both are equally secure 34% 41% 28% Not at all sure 20% 5% 33% 54% Ages 65+ All respondents 12% Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2% 2015 NerdWallet 8

9 Fraud and EMV: Consumer understanding Two in five consumers were not sure what protections EMV offered, and 6% didn t believe it offered any protection. 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% To the best of your knowledge, which of the following types of fraud, if any, will an EMV chip protect you against? Please select all that apply. Counterfeit fraud (e.g., if someone makes a physical copy of your card) The correct answer Stolen card fraud (e.g., if someone steals your card) Online purchase fraud (e.g., if someone steals your credit card information online and purchases items with those credentials online) None of these Not at all sure Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, NerdWallet 9

10 Fraud and EMV: Consumer understanding More than half 52% of consumers were able to correctly report which types of activities are made more secure by EMV chips. 60% To the best of your knowledge, which of these activities will be more secure when using a card with an EMV chip? Please select all that apply 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Making a purchase in person at a store The correct answer Transacting at an ATM Storig credit card information with an online store (e.g., Amazon.com, Nordstrom.com) Giving a credit card number over the phone None of these Not at all sure Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, NerdWallet 10

11 Fraud and EMV: Consumer understanding An astounding 59% of consumers reported that they are not at all sure who is liable for fraudulent charges; 7% incorrectly believe that consumers bear the burden. To the best of your knowledge, after October 2015, who is liable for fraudulent charges on cards with an EMV chip? Not at all sure, 59% Banks, 21% Stores, 12% Both correct answers, depending on whether or not the store s payment terminals are EMV-ready. If they are, then the bank is liable for the fraud. If not, then the store is liable for the fraud. Consumers, 7% Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 11

12 Key Findings: Cost of Rewards 2015 NerdWallet 12

13 Cost of Rewards: Annual fees In June 2015, the average annual fee for rewards cards and cash back cards hit a 3-year low while the average annual fee for miles cards climbed 22%. 120 Annual fees by card type for cards with annual fees Including cards with no annual fee, the average fee for cards without rewards comes out to 1.5 per year st Half Rewards No Rewards Points Cash back Miles Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Fees are weighted by sign-up rates by card type. Cards with no annual fee are excluded from this data set 2015 NerdWallet 13

14 Cost of Rewards: Breakeven values Card Breakeven values by card, accounting only for value of points and annual fee Avg point value (cents) Annual fee Virgin America Visa Signature Card 2.2 $49* JetBlue Card from American Express 1.4 $40 British Airways Visa Signature Card 2.4 $95 Amex Starwood Preferred Guest 2.4 $95 Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles 1.9 $95 Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 1.0 $59 United MileagePlus Explorer Card 1.6 $95 Citi AAdvantage Credit Card 1.3 $95 Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 1.3 $95 Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier 1.1 $99* Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card 0.9 $85* Citi ThankYou Premier Card 1.0 $95 Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card 0.5 $95* *Card does not waive first year s annual fee Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Note: Some card names shortened for brevety Weighted average NerdWallet 14

15 Cost of Rewards: Cards popularity Consumers continue to prefer rewards cards over non-rewards cards, with Non-Air Cobrand cards and Cash/Points/Miles cards being roughly equally popular. Total new account volume distributed by product, all consumer categories combined 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 34% 34% 35% 34% 36% 38% 39% 33% 36% 37% 38% 34% 39% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 7% 7% 8% 8% 8% 7% 6% 8% 30% 34% 34% 37% 35% 35% 35% 40% 32% 32% 32% 34% 31% 27% 23% 22% 21% 20% 20% 20% 20% 24% 24% 24% 26% 22% 2011Q1 2011Q2 2011Q3 2011Q4 2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 Non-rewards Non-Air Cobrand Cobrand Air Cash/Points/Miles Sources: Argus Information & Advisory Services via American Bankers Associate Rewards Credit Cards Study 2015 NerdWallet 15

16 Cost of Rewards: Consumer knowledge Of consumers with rewards cards that charge annual fees, 31% do not know how much they are paying. If you own a rewards credit card (e.g., cash back, miles, points cards), do you know how much your annual fee is? Yes 29% Percent of consumers with rewards cards with annual fees 69% I do not own a rewards card with an annual fee, 59% No, 13% 31% Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 16

17 Cost of Rewards: Consumer knowledge Consumers were evenly divided on their willingness to pay annual fees on rewards credit cards. How much money per year would you be willing to pay to earn credit card rewards? Nothing - I would not pay to earn credit card rewards, 50% Up to $50/year 34% $151 to $200/year, 1% More than $200/year, 2% $51 to $100/year, 7% $101 to $150/year, 4% Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 17

18 Cost of Rewards: Consumer knowledge Most consumers who accrue rewards points appear to be effectively managing their points. Which of the following best describes how many credit card rewards points you redeemed last year (e.g., cashing in airline miles, getting cash back from your bank)? N/A - I don't have a credit card with rewards points, 35% I redeemed all my available rewards points 23% I redeemed some of my available rewards points, 22% All respondents I didn't have any rewards points to redeem last year, 9% I did not redeem any of my available rewards points, 11% Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 18

19 Cost of Rewards: Consumer knowledge Nearly 2 in 10 18% of consumers let points sit unredeemed over the course of last year. Which of the following best describes how many credit card rewards points you redeemed last year (e.g., cashing in airline miles, getting cash back from your bank)? I didn't have any rewards points to redeem last year 13% I did not redeem any of my available rewards points 18% I redeemed some of my available rewards points 34% I redeemed all my available rewards points 35% Respondents with rewards credit cards Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 19

20 Key Findings: Millennials Card Choices 2015 NerdWallet 20

21 Millennials: FICO distribution by age Over 50% of millennials have FICO scores below % Percent of scorable files by FICO score 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Millennials (Age 18-34) Total Population Sources: FICO.com, June NerdWallet 21

22 Millennials: Card applications by FICO Millennials with lower credit scores are seeking new credit more frequently but are ultimately opening fewer accounts. Each of these failed applications hurts the applicants credit scores, perpetuating a vicious cycle. 45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Percent of millennials with inquiries or new credit openings over 6 months, by FICO band Inquiries New credit opening Sources: FICO.com, June NerdWallet 22

23 Millennials: Card applications by FICO Nearly 1 in 4 credit seekers with credit scores below 681 were rejected, further damaging their credit scores without getting the card. 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% Types of credit seekers, by credit score, June % 2.8% 24.2% 7.8% 0.3% 2.0% 20.0% 10.0% 33.5% 42.6% 42.7% 0.0% <= Applied and Accepted Applied and Rejected Discouraged Sources: New York Fed SCE Credit Access, June NerdWallet 23

24 Millennials: How all consumers pick cards Nearly half 48% of all consumers selected their credit card through an ad or promotion; only 11% did so by conducting research. Which of the following best describes how you selected the credit card you most recently applied for? I received a promotional offer in the mail My bank promoted it to me directly (e.g, in branch, mail) I applied through a retailer, airline, etc. (i.e., signed up for a store card to receive store discont, an airline card to earn miles) I saw an advertisement (e.g., online ad, TV commercial) I conducted research based on my credit score, reading card reviews and comparing credit card statistics My friends/family recommended it Some other way 16% 19% 7% 21% 9% 10% 3% 14% 48% Via an ad or promotion N/A - I have never applied for a credit card All respondents Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 24

25 Millennials: How all consumers pick cards More than half of consumers who applied for credit cards did so via an ad or promotion. Which of the following best describes how you selected the credit card you most recently applied for? I received a promotional offer in the mail My bank promoted it to me directly (e.g, in branch, mail) I applied through a retailer, airline, etc. (i.e., signed up for a store card to receive store discont, an airline card to earn miles) I saw an advertisement (e.g., online ad, TV commercial) I conducted research based on my credit score, reading card reviews and comparing credit card statistics My friends/family recommended it 19% 8% 13% 4% 12% 26% 18% 60% Via an ad or promotion Some other way All respondents who have applied for credit cards Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 25

26 Millennials: How millennials pick cards Far fewer consumers ages selected their credit card through an ad or promotion when compared with the overall consumer pool, and a greater percentage selected their card by conducting research. However, 31% of respondents in this age group have not yet applied for a credit card. Which of the following best describes how you selected the credit card you most recently applied for? I received a promotional offer in the mail My bank promoted it to me directly (e.g, in branch, mail) I applied through a retailer, airline, etc. (i.e., signed up for a store card to receive store discont, an airline card to earn miles) I saw an advertisement (e.g., online ad, TV commercial) I conducted research based on my credit score, reading card reviews and comparing credit card statistics My friends/family recommended it 31% 8% 14% 11% 14% 13% 6% 4% 33% Via an ad or promotion Some other way N/A - I have never applied for a credit card Respondents ages Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 26

27 Millennials: How millennials pick cards Nearly half of millennial consumers (ages 18-34) who applied for credit cards did so via an ad or promotion. Which of the following best describes how you selected the credit card you most recently applied for? I received a promotional offer in the mail My bank promoted it to me directly (e.g, in branch, mail) I applied through a retailer, airline, etc. (i.e., signed up for a store card to receive store discont, an airline card to earn miles) I saw an advertisement (e.g., online ad, TV commercial) I conducted research based on my credit score, reading card reviews and comparing credit card statistics My friends/family recommended it 21% 11% 20% 16% 18% 9% 5% 48% Via an ad or promotion Some other way Respondents ages who have applied for credit cards Sources: NerdWallet Harris Poll, Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding 2015 NerdWallet 27

28 Other highlights from proprietary NerdWallet data 2015 NerdWallet 28

29 Other highlights: Sign-up bonuses The value of miles cards sign-up bonuses plummeted in early 2015, while points cards have hit an all-time high. $500 $450 $400 $350 $300 $250 $200 $150 $100 $50 $0 Sign-up bonuses by card type $ $ $ /1/11 9/1/11 10/1/11 11/1/11 12/1/11 1/1/12 2/1/12 3/1/12 4/1/12 5/1/12 6/1/12 7/1/12 8/1/12 9/1/12 10/1/12 11/1/12 12/1/12 1/1/13 2/1/13 3/1/13 4/1/13 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13 10/1/13 11/1/13 12/1/13 1/1/14 2/1/14 3/1/14 4/1/14 5/1/14 6/1/14 7/1/14 8/1/14 9/1/14 10/1/14 11/1/14 12/1/14 1/1/15 2/1/15 3/1/15 4/1/15 5/1/15 6/1/15 Points Cash back Miles Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Statistics are weighted by sign up rates by card type. Cards with no sign-up bonuses are excluded from this data set 2015 NerdWallet 29

30 Other highlights: Late fees Late fees have stayed relatively static over time, hovering around $30. $45 $40 $35 $30 $25 $20 $15 $10 $5 $0 Late fees over time $35.15 $33.79 $ /1/11 9/1/11 10/1/11 11/1/11 12/1/11 1/1/12 2/1/12 3/1/12 4/1/12 5/1/12 6/1/12 7/1/12 8/1/12 9/1/12 10/1/12 11/1/12 12/1/12 1/1/13 2/1/13 3/1/13 4/1/13 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13 10/1/13 11/1/13 12/1/13 1/1/14 2/1/14 3/1/14 4/1/14 5/1/14 6/1/14 7/1/14 8/1/14 9/1/14 10/1/14 11/1/14 12/1/14 1/1/15 2/1/15 3/1/15 4/1/15 5/1/15 6/1/15 Overall No rewards Points Cash back Miles Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Statistics are weighted by sign up rates 2015 NerdWallet 30

31 Other highlights: Other fees Fees have not changed substantially since mid Interestingly, foreign transaction fees appear to spike around the holiday season. 4.5% 4.0% 3.5% 3.0% 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% Fee changes over time 8/1/11 9/1/11 10/1/11 11/1/11 12/1/11 1/1/12 2/1/12 3/1/12 4/1/12 5/1/12 6/1/12 7/1/12 8/1/12 9/1/12 10/1/12 11/1/12 12/1/12 1/1/13 2/1/13 3/1/13 4/1/13 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13 10/1/13 11/1/13 12/1/13 1/1/14 2/1/14 3/1/14 4/1/14 5/1/14 6/1/14 7/1/14 8/1/14 9/1/14 10/1/14 11/1/14 12/1/14 1/1/15 2/1/15 3/1/15 4/1/15 5/1/15 6/1/15 Balance transfer Cash advance Foreign transaction fee 3.8% 2.0% 1.3% Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Statistics are weighted by sign up rates 2015 NerdWallet 31

32 Other highlights: APRs APR have not changed substantially since mid Penalty APRs dropped significantly in late 2013 and early 2014 but have since recovered. 35% APR changes over time 30% 25% 20% 15% 26.1% 20.7% 18.0% 10% 5% 0% 8/1/11 9/1/11 10/1/11 11/1/11 12/1/11 1/1/12 2/1/12 3/1/12 4/1/12 5/1/12 6/1/12 7/1/12 8/1/12 9/1/12 10/1/12 11/1/12 12/1/12 1/1/13 2/1/13 3/1/13 4/1/13 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13 10/1/13 11/1/13 12/1/13 1/1/14 2/1/14 3/1/14 4/1/14 5/1/14 6/1/14 7/1/14 8/1/14 9/1/14 10/1/14 11/1/14 12/1/14 1/1/15 2/1/15 3/1/15 4/1/15 5/1/15 6/1/15 Purchase APR Cash advance APR Penalty APR Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Statistics are weighted by sign up rates 2015 NerdWallet 32

33 Other highlights: Balance transfer periods Balance transfer periods appear to be converging to around 15 months across all card types. 25 Average balance transfer period by card type /1/11 9/1/11 10/1/11 11/1/11 12/1/11 1/1/12 2/1/12 3/1/12 4/1/12 5/1/12 6/1/12 7/1/12 8/1/12 9/1/12 10/1/12 11/1/12 12/1/12 1/1/13 2/1/13 3/1/13 4/1/13 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13 10/1/13 11/1/13 12/1/13 1/1/14 2/1/14 3/1/14 4/1/14 5/1/14 6/1/14 7/1/14 8/1/14 9/1/14 10/1/14 11/1/14 12/1/14 1/1/15 2/1/15 3/1/15 4/1/15 5/1/15 6/1/15 Overall No rewards Points Cash back Miles Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Statistics are weighted by sign up rates 2015 NerdWallet 33

34 Other highlights: Intro APR periods Introductory APR periods appear to contract at the beginning of the new year. This may be the result of some cards offering balance transfer periods through a fixed date, as opposed to a set of months, which needs to be reset every year. 25 Average introductory APR period by card type /1/11 9/1/11 10/1/11 11/1/11 12/1/11 1/1/12 2/1/12 3/1/12 4/1/12 5/1/12 6/1/12 7/1/12 8/1/12 9/1/12 10/1/12 11/1/12 12/1/12 1/1/13 2/1/13 3/1/13 4/1/13 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13 10/1/13 11/1/13 12/1/13 1/1/14 2/1/14 3/1/14 4/1/14 5/1/14 6/1/14 7/1/14 8/1/14 9/1/14 10/1/14 11/1/14 12/1/14 1/1/15 2/1/15 3/1/15 4/1/15 5/1/15 6/1/15 Overall No rewards Points Cash back Miles Sources: Internal NerdWallet data. Statistics are weighted by sign up rates 2015 NerdWallet 34