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2010 HIGHLIGHTS | SURVEY OF CONSUMER PAYMENT CHOICE
Economy improved,
we made more payments

What’s in our wallets

Number of consumer
payments per month

• Post-recession, we continued to use cash
more often than in 2008

71

73

• 78% have a debit card

67

• Almost 40% have a
prepaid card

• Compared to 2009:
– We used our credit cards more

Percentage share of consumer payments

of us experienced loss or theft
of cash, checks, credit card, or
debit card.

We care about
security

The big 3—debit card,
cash, credit card—
make up 80% of
consumer payments.

Percentage of consumers saying
payment attribute is most important

47%

Security

27%

Convenience

24%

Cost

22%

Acceptance for payment

15%

Payment records

70%

Credit card

38%

’08 ’09 ’10

The Unlucky Number

13%

78%

Debit card

Prepaid card

– We owned more kinds of cards,
in particular, prepaid cards

87%

Blank checks

• Most own 5 or 6 payment
instruments (including
electronic methods)

– We made more automatic
bill payments

100%

Cash

• 70% have a credit card

• We made six cash withdrawals per month

Acquisition & setup

Percentage of consumers who own paper
and plastic payment instruments

• Median cash on hand: $30

31%

Debit

29%

Cash
Credit

Where the
money goes
We make most of
our payments for
retail goods and
services.

18%

Other
People
6%
Bills
29%

Goods &
Services
65%

About the respondents

About the survey

Nationally representative sample of U.S.
consumers 18 and older

Reports on consumers’ ownership and
use of 9 payment instruments

2,100 respondents in 50 states, DC,
Puerto Rico

Tells how consumers assess characteristics of payment instruments

Many respondents participate in
consecutive surveys, making it possible
to identify changes in consumers’
behavior and attitudes

Aims to bring the voice of the consumer
into public policy discussions about
payments
Third annual survey by the Federal
Reserve Bank of Boston, bostonfed.org

9%
© 2008-2010 Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Charts available for download with credit line.