Estimates indicate that the UK prepaid credit card market is to reach GBP 4.5 billion by 2010, in view of the credit crunch affecting this country.

According to stored-value card services provider Prepay Technologies, the number of UK prepaid credit cardholders is nearly 2.3 million, while by 2010, the figure is expected to reach 7 million. Estimates have been published by online comparison website Fairinvestment.co.uk. According to the website, prepaid credit cards are no longer appropriate for those who have bad credit histories, but on the other hand, they could be useful for those who are interested in having a credit card but do not want to be exposed to the risk of debt.