China Sees Wave of Credit Card Suspensions, Volume Down 13.75% from Historical High
Several Chinese banks have announced the suspension of some credit card products, mainly co-branded and themed cards. By the end of 2025, the total number of credit and debit-credit integrated cards was approximately 696 million, a 13.75% decrease from its historical peak. This trend is attributed to stricter regulations, risk control, and changes in the market environment.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 12:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 12:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:25 (4h 54m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Shanghai, April 17) Several Chinese banks have issued announcements, declaring the suspension of some credit card products, mainly co-branded cards and themed cards. According to official statistics, as of the end of 2025, the number of credit cards and debit-credit integrated cards was approximately 696 million, a decrease of about 31 million cards compared to the end of 2024; and a 13.75% reduction from the historical high in the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of about 111 million cards.
Xinhua News Agency reported on the 17th that credit card business was once a core growth point for banks' retail business, and the contraction is due to regulation, risk, and market environment.
The report mentioned that the banking industry issued a large number of credit cards to expand its customer base, leading to a large number of 'dormant cards,' which occupy resources and increase management costs. New regulatory requirements stipulate that the proportion of such credit cards must not exceed 20%, and at the same time, prohibit using card issuance volume as a single assessment indicator. After this, the banking industry began to clean up invalid cards.
Changes in the market environment have also caused the growth space for credit card business to peak. The rapid development of online financial products and mobile payment tools has diverted credit card consumption scenarios, forcing banks to re-examine the positioning of their credit card business; more critically, some banks, for risk control considerations, have actively tightened credit approval thresholds and reduced some benefit configurations.
21st Century Business Herald summarized the reasons behind the large number of credit card suspensions, including cost, risk, and regulation.
The report mentioned that the banking industry must clean up inefficient card types, and when IP authorizations expire or co-branding partnerships terminate, they must also adjust and update their business. Co-branded cards have a traffic-driving effect, but some users have poor credit, which instead leads to small and medium-sized banks having to bear the dual pressures of high operating costs and high non-performing loan rates.
Furthermore, regulatory policies have tightened. In 2022, the 'Notice on Further Promoting the Standardized and Healthy Development of Credit Card Business' clearly stated that banks must not use the number of cards issued as a single or primary assessment indicator, and institutionally set a 'hard cap of no more than 20% for long-term dormant card rates.'
Industry insiders believe that the saying 'credit cards fall out of favor' is not entirely accurate; what is fading out are physical credit cards, while credit consumption is still deeply integrated into daily transactions in digital form. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150417
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(Central News Agency, Shanghai, April 17) Several Chinese banks have issued announcements, declaring the suspension of some credit card products, mainly co-branded cards and themed cards. According to official statistics, as of the end of 2025, the number of credit cards and debit-credit integrated cards was approximately 696 million, a decrease of about 31 million cards compared to the end of 2024; and a 13.75% reduction from the historical high in the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of about 111 million cards.
Xinhua News Agency reported on the 17th that credit card business was once a core growth point for banks' retail business, and the contraction is due to regulation, risk, and market environment.
The report mentioned that the banking industry issued a large number of credit cards to expand its customer base, leading to a large number of 'dormant cards,' which occupy resources and increase management costs. New regulatory requirements stipulate that the proportion of such credit cards must not exceed 20%, and at the same time, prohibit using card issuance volume as a single assessment indicator. After this, the banking industry began to clean up invalid cards.
Changes in the market environment have also caused the growth space for credit card business to peak. The rapid development of online financial products and mobile payment tools has diverted credit card consumption scenarios, forcing banks to re-examine the positioning of their credit card business; more critically, some banks, for risk control considerations, have actively tightened credit approval thresholds and reduced some benefit configurations.
21st Century Business Herald summarized the reasons behind the large number of credit card suspensions, including cost, risk, and regulation.
The report mentioned that the banking industry must clean up inefficient card types, and when IP authorizations expire or co-branding partnerships terminate, they must also adjust and update their business. Co-branded cards have a traffic-driving effect, but some users have poor credit, which instead leads to small and medium-sized banks having to bear the dual pressures of high operating costs and high non-performing loan rates.
Furthermore, regulatory policies have tightened. In 2022, the 'Notice on Further Promoting the Standardized and Healthy Development of Credit Card Business' clearly stated that banks must not use the number of cards issued as a single or primary assessment indicator, and institutionally set a 'hard cap of no more than 20% for long-term dormant card rates.'
Industry insiders believe that the saying 'credit cards fall out of favor' is not entirely accurate; what is fading out are physical credit cards, while credit consumption is still deeply integrated into daily transactions in digital form. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
FAQ
What are the main reasons for the suspension of credit card issuance in China?
The main reasons include stricter regulations, the need for risk management, and changes in the market environment. Specifically, the cleanup of 'dormant cards' and the proliferation of online financial products have played a role.
How has the number of credit cards issued in China changed?
As of the end of 2025, the total number of credit and debit-credit integrated cards was approximately 696 million, a 13.75% decrease from its historical peak in the third quarter of 2022.