APACS research reveals:

· The South East has more credit card holders per head of population than any other region - 75 per cent of adults, compared with the national total of 67 per cent

· People in the North East are less likely to be regular users of cheques than any other region

· Adults in the North West visit cash machines more regularly and withdraw an average total of £5,355 from cash machines each year, more than anywhere else in Britain

· People in Scotland are less likely to use internet or phone banking than elsewhere in Britain

· Adults in the East Midlands make an average of 18.5 purchases on the internet each year, above the national total of 16.5 and more than anywhere else in Britain

APACS, the UK payments association, has today (22 October 2007) published a new set of online guides looking at the payment habits of adults in every region of Britain. Payment Regions examines the statistics to draw comparisons between different parts of the country and identify some of the national and regional trends in payments.

The guides offer a fascinating insight into payment habits in each region, examining whether old stereotypes ring true and how far new technology has affected payment habits across Britain.

Sandra Quinn, director of communications at APACS, says:

“Different parts of Britain have long been associated with certain payment stereotypes – whether those are about being overly careful with spending or flash with the cash – and these guides – drawn from the UK’s ongoing largest study of payments behaviour - offer a revealing and interesting look behind the statistics. However, there are also some serious points to be made.

“While the national statistics show that as a nation we are generally comfortable with the many types of payment methods available and good at managing our finances, there is always room for improvement. We should all be taking advantage of the wealth of payment options out there, so managing our finances is as easy, secure and convenient as possible.”

ENDS

For further information and copies of the Payment Regions guides contact the APACS Information Office:
T: 0870 420 3208 E: apacs@fourcommunications.com

APACS is the trade body that gives banks, building societies and card issuers a forum where they can work together on non-competitive issues. We help manage the way that businesses and individuals in the UK move their money around - this covers cash, credit and debit cards, cheques and automated payments such as direct debits, salary payments and online/phone transactions. We champion the fight against banking fraud and twice a year we publish figures on payment industry fraud losses.

APACS undertakes annual consumer research to understand and track how the nation makes payments. It is the most comprehensive ongoing study of its kind. These regional comparisons were based on research undertaken with 4046 adults.