The use of bank cards as an indicator of the financial literacy of population

The article analyses the market of bank cards, its development trends and prospects, use of plastic cards. Bank operations with payment cards reflect the scale of the bank system integration and the level of the population financial literacy. In economically developed countries bank card is one of the main attributes of the trade and services sphere. In big cities of our country plastic cards have the leading position among other instruments of retail payments. But, despite the active development of the card market in Russia and the steady growth of its all indicators, this financial instrument has not yet become a full-fledged means of payment in our country. Over 70% of cards are used to withdraw cash but not to pay for goods and services. Elimination of problems in the use of cards should enhance the reputation of banks and the return of consumers’ confidence in modern banking services, thus, increasing the number of card users.