This eCourse consists of two modules. Module 1 discusses payments cards and what attracts so many new participants into the market. The payments cards market has evolved greatly in recent decades, especially in later years where technological and regulatory developments have spurned new players in the market.

Module 2 discusses the revenues streams from credit cards, and how they are designed and marketed to different user groups. With cash and check usage being replaced more and more by electronic formats, such as credit cards, the number of credit card issuers continues to rise. It can be a very profitable market – although potentially risky with many banks organizing their credit card business as a standalone profit centre.

On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Recall how payments cards evolved
- Recognise the roles that card schemes play
- List the different card types
- Identify the different players in the payments cards value chain
- Identify the main regulatory acts that recently influenced the payments cards industry
- Recognise the revenue drivers
- Describe how credit cards are approved
- Identify the different operations undertaken by credit card issuers
- List the various user types and their behaviors
- Describe how credit card issuers market cards to different users
- List some of the important regulations around credit cards

Module 1: Payments Cards
Topic 1: Evolution of Payments Cards
Topic 2: Card Schemes
Topic 3: Payment Card Types
Topic 4: Payments Card Value Chain
Topic 5: Regulatory Issues

Module 2: Credit Cards
Topic 1: Revenue Model
Topic 2: Credit Card Approval
Topic 3:Credit Card Operations
Topic 4: Product Design
Topic 5: Marketing
Topic 6: Regulation