Item: Article in CardsNow!Asia

Extract: Introductory paragraphs

[Begins...]

The road ahead for the Asian bank card industry looks good. While we must tread carefully around the potholes created by SARS, regulators and continuing economic fragility, we can keep in mind that Asia remains the world's most exciting marketplace for cards and offers the greatest potential for increased profits.

Research returns statistics time-and-again telling us that, as consumers in Asia, we have an appetite for revolving credit; we will use our debit cards even more; and we are increasingly confident shopping on-line. Consumer lending products have a strong future, then, and demand for them will return. Banks and IT providers must be ready meet this demand.

The Challenge Ahead
Nobody expects the road ahead to be devoid of new hazards. But we can now hope that the key battle on the post-SARS horizon will be fought, as it should be, between banks — both the international heavyweights and the consolidated local contenders — to take advantage of new opportunities and win the loyalty of the consumer. At the bottom line, it will be about creating the strategy that determines which card emerges from wallets.

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