Bespoke Research

Leading banks, merchant acquirers, consultancies and private equity houses partner with Argus Advisory Research for the bespoke data and commentary that informs their business strategy in cards and digital payments markets. With deep expertise in payment cards, e-money, acquiring and processing, retail banking and consumer credit, we combine a network of subject specialists around the world with our proprietary data – covering countries around the world, and featuring more than 250 metrics per market – to deliver unique datasets and commentary. Our client engagement ranges from one-off projects to long-term ongoing partnerships.

Examples of bespoke research client projects leveraging Argus Advisory Research's unique data sets and expert network:

ISSUER
Delivering deep-dive commentary and data on credit cards and unsecured lending in two European markets to inform an issuer's growth strategy. Coverage included market-sizing, the competitive landscape, market segmentation, incumbent players' offer and position, plus commentary on the markets' payments infrastructure, digital developments, regulatory regime and credit bureaus.

ISSUER
Providing market commentary and data on credit cards and unsecured loans markets in six European countries to support a cross-border expansion strategy.

PAYMENT NETWORK
Delivering data on interchange fees and MSCs for categories of cards including commercial and consumer credit, consumer debit/pre-paid, commercial/debit pre-paid cards across 31 key markets.

PAYMENT PROCESSOR
Data-based thought leadership white papers analysing the potential for African cards markets, including data and commentary on the current state of play, plus insight including analysis of the benefits of moving from closed loop to open loop cards.

MERCHANT ACQUIRER
Delivering quarter-on-quarter data measuring a merchant acquirer's competitive position across a number of markets in North America and Europe. The solution has evolved to incorporate specific market analysis of competitors and acquiring volume ranges as requested by the client.

PRIVATE EQUITY
Executed a project to research and analyse cards and payments data for 25 countries, including research on MSCs broken out by merchants, interchange fees -- including country averages and averages for particular card schemes, plus scheme fees broken out by fees paid by merchant acquirer & fee paid by issuer

ACQUIRING PROCESSOR
A range of services including bespoke comparative data on African debit cards markets, an overall view of global cards markets, commentary on POS developments in emerging markets, plus a board retreat bringing selected experts to the table with company executives.

ACQUIRING PROCESSOR
Provided an overview of the merchant acquiring market across countries worldwide, including acquiring volumes per market and merchant service charges.