Discover Global Network Study Finds Nearly Half of Global Consumers Are More Comfortable Making Digital Payments as a Result of COVID-19

A new research paper by 451 Research, a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, and commissioned by Discover^® Global Network found digital payment services and financial technology partnerships are reshaping the way in which consumers around the world send, spend and store their money. The findings come as the payments industry converges on Las Vegas for Money 20/20 to discuss the latest trends, innovations and ideas.

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The next frontier: Unlocking new value through digital payment experiences (Graphic: Discover)

The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the influence of these digital payment services – as they grew market share and consumers accelerated their usage and adoption of these products. State of the Union: Global Digital Payments and Fintech Ecosystem analyzes these shifts and other trends prevalent within the industry.

“With nearly 3 in 5 people using at least one type of digital payment service in their day-to-day spending, the State of the Union report shows the importance of digital commerce for consumers around the globe,” said Kiran Pookote, director of business strategy at Discover. “These statistics reflect the impact of COVID-19 on digital behavior and the ways it will continue to shape the economy post-pandemic.”

In order to address these trends, partnerships between fintechs and payment companies will likely be critical, highlighting the need to work together on developing technologies for the evolving payments ecosystem. Eighty six percent of fintech vendors said they are reliant on payment companies to help them implement payment technologies.

“Fintechs looking to quickly innovate and address customer demand on a global scale can benefit from pursuing partnerships with a company like Discover Global Network - that provides them with customized payment solutions, expertise and has a history of successful partnerships,” said Pookote, who will be at Money 20/20 in Las Vegas and able to further discuss the findings.

Key Findings:

Impact of COVID-19 On Digital Payments

• Globally, 1 in 3 consumers said they began using digital payments for the first time within the last year, while more than half (52%) said they transitioned all or most of their in-store spending to online. Further, 49% say they are now more comfortable with making digital payments as a result of COVID-19.

Consumer Shift to Digital Wallets

• According to the report, in 2020, digital wallets are reported to represent 27% of in-store spending, 41% of e-commerce spending and 46% of mobile commerce spending. By 2025, digital wallets are projected to account for more than $10 trillion in global transaction volume between in-store and e-commerce.

Partnerships for Fintech Vendors are Key

• Nearly 9 out of 10 fintech vendors said contactless payments and linking loyalty programs and rewards to a customer’s payment card were relevant to their business needs.
• Seventy eight percent of fintechs indicated they currently partner or work with a payment network, and an additional 18% said while they don’t currently, such a partnership is possible.

Global Payment Adoption

• Digital wallets ranked as the most widely used digital payment service overall, with respondents in Singapore (74%), India (70%) and China (61%) exhibiting the highest increase in usage. In these markets, many digital wallets have evolved into “super apps,” encompassing a wide range of services, from payments to purchasing movie tickets to insurance.

For a deeper dive into these findings, join Discover and 451 Research, a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, for a webinar on December 15, 2021 from 10-11am CST. Jordan McKee from 451 Research along with representatives from Discover will discuss the key business priorities facing fintechs and provide perspective on the digital payments space. For more information and to register, visit the event page.

In addition to discussing these findings while at Money 20/20, experts from Discover will be speaking to several other topics:

• Payments Innovation: Revolutionary? Or Evolutionary? – While payments have evolved rapidly over the years – are these evolutions really as revolutionary as we think? Asif Ahmed, Senior Leader, Global Product Strategy, Discover Financial Services, discusses the breadth of what drives innovation. More info here.
• The Fintech View (Panel) – Andrew Stucchio, Vice President, Global Pricing & Analytics, Discover along with other experts weigh in on current industry “hot topics” and share “hot takes” on everything from successful data management programs to the new tech that’s enabling innovative data analysis. More info here.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a digital banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its banking business. It operates the Discover Global Network comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance around the world. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

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