Product and Pricing Strategies in Asia Pacific Plastic Cards reviews a number of product and pricing strategies visible in Asia Pacific. Product strategies examined include the issuance of premium cards, Visa Debit, alternative card forms and cards for women as well as the provision of loyalty schemes including cash back. Pricing strategies examined include low rate pricing and pricing for risk.

• Covers strategies and products including premiumization, alternative card forms, Visa Debit, low rate pricing and risk-based pricing
• Includes case studies from Australia, India, Malaysia and Singapore as well as from the US and UK
• Based on interviews with leading cards executives in Asia Pacific

The rapid growth in the number of cards on issue in Singapore now means that many Singaporeans have three or more credit cards in their wallets. This poses a problem for card issuers how do they differentiate their cards and ensure that cardholders use their cards rather than those of their competitors?

Datamonitor is yet to find any examples of the benefits of alternative card forms being borne out in practice. In fact, it believes that the slow uptake of alternative card forms indicates a realization among card issuers that 'on paper' benefits are not delivered in practice.

Datamonitor believes that risk based pricing has a place in a mature credit card market well served by good credit record information. It does, however, believe that issuers must not utilize the strategy too aggressively so as to avoid potential regulatory interest as well as negative media coverage.

• Best practice case studies from across Asia Pacific as well as from the UK and US
• An invaluable tool for card issuers wanting to improve the profitability of the their business
• Highlights strategies applicable to Asia Pacific but not yet employed by the region's card issuers