Interac 2008 Research Facts

In a recent survey conducted by Toronto-based organization "The Strategic Counsel" on behalf of Interac Association, the majority of cardholders polled agreed with the following statement: "Interac gives you access to your money whenever you need it."

Our 2008 Annual Benchmark Tracking Study reviewed Canadians' payment preferences and attitudes towards Interac services, including two key Interac services: Interac Direct Payment (IDP) and Interac Shared Cash Dispensing. Here are some highlights from the study based on 1,500 interviews conducted nation-wide

Interac is for Everyone

9 in 10 Canadian adults have a banking card and therefore have access to Interac products and services

Interac Direct Payment is accepted at more places than ever

More than 406,000 merchants offer Interac Direct Payment, representing over 591,000 payment terminals

Did you know?

In 2000, Interac Direct Payment surpassed cash as Canadians' preferred method of payment, and the service has continued to grow to 3.5 billion transactions in 2008

15.9 million transactions were processed on December 23, 2008 - the busiest shopping day of the year - which is up ~ 2% from 15.6 million transactions on the peak day in December 2007

1 in 2 Canadians say Interac Direct Payment is their favourite way to pay

Easy access to your money

Interac Shared Cash Dispensing was the first service offered by Interac Association and allows Canadians to withdraw cash from any Automated Banking Machine (ABM) in the country that displays the trusted Interac logo. Canadians have secure and reliable access to their cash 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Canadians have indicated their desire for convenient access to their cash - Automated Banking Machines can now be commonly found in non-traditional locations, everywhere from convenience stores, to gas stations to hockey rinks.

95% of cardholders have used Automated Banking Machines, with 33% completing an Automated Banking Machine transaction more than once a week

2 out of 3 cardholders used Interac Shared Cash Dispensing in 2008

There are over 55,000 Automated Banking Machines available across Canada