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Record number of debit card payments per second

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Stylized illustration of a row of consumers with shopping carts, shopping together as a symbol of purchasing behavior and spending.

On the final shopping day before Christmas, 11.4 million debit card payments had been made by 5 pm. At the busiest moment, 483 transactions were processed in a single second. Last year’s record was 442 payments per second, according to the Dutch Payments Association, which coordinates debit card payments.

A spokesperson says many people left their Christmas shopping as late as possible to buy fresh food. Despite the large number of payments, no disruptions were reported.

Around 12 million debit card payments were made last Saturday, slightly fewer than in 2011, when consumers made 12.2 million payments on the Saturday before Christmas.

The Dutch Payments Association says the total was lower because the Christmas rush was spread over three days this year. Consumers still had the entire weekend and Monday to complete their Christmas shopping, whereas Christmas Day fell on a Sunday last year.

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