Credit card issuers’ success depends significantly on their ability to develop sophisticated
customer management strategies, including pricing, line assignment, and risk management,
that maximize profitable balance growth without undue risk-taking. Yet issuers face
challenges in understanding the competitive environment in which those decisions
are made.
Argus Syndicated Studies’ group offers four studies that can assist issuers with
understanding the context in which their customer management decisions are made.
These studies offer unique insight into the competitive dynamics of the US and UK
credit card industries, enabling issuers to make informed decisions and identify
opportunities to improve the performance of their portfolios.
Unlike other sources of competitive information, Argus’ studies are based on account-level
data provided directly from participating issuers and do not rely on self-reported
information. Nearly every leading issuer in the US and UK participates in Argus’
studies, ensuring that benchmarking results accurately reflect the competitive landscape.
Argus’ Syndicated Studies are particularly compelling to their participants because
benchmarks are customized for each issuer. By leveraging the account-level data
provided by each participant, benchmarks are customized to match the issuer’s programs,
risk profiles, and vintage characteristics. In this manner, Argus ensures that comparisons
are fair and relevant and avoid risks associated with non-customized "industry-level"
comparisons.
Current Syndicated Studies clients meet with Argus on a regular basis to review
benchmarking findings and discuss opportunities for improving the performance of
their portfolios. As part of their participation, issuers may also request customized
analyses that leverage the benchmarking dataset.
Argus’ approach to benchmarking is pragmatic and focused on identifying opportunities
and actions that will translate to bottom-line impact.
Argus currently offers four syndicated studies:
US Credit Card Payments Study (CCPS) – a comprehensive source of data on
US consumer credit cards, tracking over 50mm accounts
>more
US Small Business Card Study (SBCS) – a study that delivers benchmarking
data for small business card issuers; this study tracks over 15mm US business card
accounts
>more
US Risk Dynamics Study (RDS) – a US consumer card study specifically designed
for risk managers that leverages the US CCPS dataset
>more
UK Credit Card Payments Study (UK CCPS) – a study that provides UK issuers
with a comprehensive understanding of the UK credit card market
>more
For more information about Argus’ Syndicated Studies, please contact Michael Grillo
at (914) 307-3147 or
mgrillo@argusinformation.com
