Credit Cards

Credit card data from the Phoenix Gamma index shows a drop in Israeli consumer spending during the October 7 anniversary, led by sharp declines in fashion and dining.

El Al launches a special discount promotion for FLY CARD holders, offering reduced rates and Cash & Points redemptions for flights through October 2026 amid intense credit card market competition.

CAL reports 200,000 users for its FlyAll club and introduces a $150 retention bonus, intensifying competition against El Al's Fly Card and Isracard.

Credit card clearing tariffs and terminal fees for Israeli businesses rose this week, sparking tensions between financial firms and transaction infrastructure provider Sheba over rising operational costs.

Israel's credit card spending hit a record daily average of 1.775 billion NIS in September 2026, driven by holiday tourism, online shopping, and surging fuel costs.

An analysis of Israeli credit cards reveals key differences between travel and cash-back programs offered by Cal, Max, and Isracard, detailing accumulation rates and redemption rules.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank chief strategist Yoni Panning outlines US labor trends, PCE index downward revisions, robust post-war credit card spending in Israel, and European inflation developments.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank chief strategist Yoni Pening outlines rising US bond yields, inflation pressures, and an Israeli economic slowdown in July offset by a September credit card recovery.

New research proves the 'pain of payment' is a real emotional brain response. As digital payments surge in 2026, Israeli households face rising debt through installments.

Data from the Phoenix Gamma index reveals that last-minute Rosh Hashanah shopping drove sharp increases in Israeli retail, led by an 82% surge in nurseries and an 18% jump in fashion sales.

Credit card spending in Israel surged by 10.3% to 1.462 billion shekels on Rosh Hashanah Eve 2026 compared to last year, driven by a Friday holiday and a tight shopping window.

Israeli public credit card spending reached 459.06 million shekels on Friday morning ahead of Rosh Hashanah 5787, marking a 2.7 percent increase over last year according to SHVA data.

A fierce battle is reshaping Israel's aviation credit card market as Isracard secures dominance with FlyCard and Super Fly, challenging rivals Cal and Max.

The settlement approved in court determines that CAL customers who previously received a temporary exemption from card fees may be eligible for a refund for one month. Who is included in the group, how much money will they receive, and what has changed since then?

Central Bureau of Statistics data indicate a 2.2% increase in credit card purchases, alongside a jump in spending on transportation, clothing, and government services, and a decline in leisure and food.

Has your credit card expired and you are about to throw it away? A study presented at the USENIX Security 2026 conference reveals that in some cases, the old card can still be used to make a payment. A team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst found a weakness in the contactless payment protocol that allowed researchers to make a terminal treat an expired card as if it were still valid.

Aviation clubs, promising discounted flight tickets, have become a major profit engine in the Israeli credit card market, with membership jumping to nearly 800,000. Fly Card, FlyAll, and SkyMAX cardholders spend twice as much as those with regular cards, driven by the desire to earn bonuses on their spending, especially abroad.

Following a prolonged legal battle that began back in 2019, a settlement agreement was submitted to the District Court, deciding that the company Max It Finance will compensate businesses. Which businesses will receive an automatic refund?

The results of the industry leaders — Isracard, Cal, and Max — for the second quarter of 2026 show that the number of their active cards is already higher than the number of residents in Israel. Who led in transactions and who in quarterly profit, and what is the chance that any of the three will advance in entering banking activity? 3 notes on the reports.

Sharp recovery and expansion in tourism activity: Max moved from a loss to a net profit of 80 million shekels in the second quarter. The credit card company's revenues climbed to 621 million shekels, and the consumer credit portfolio grew by 13.7%. CEO Sagit Dotan stated that the SKYMAX aviation card has crossed the 100,000 customer threshold.

A third of Israeli spending abroad is dedicated to shopping and retail. Japan leads in average expenditure per traveler, while Thailand remains the most popular destination and a leader in cash usage.

Numerous reports of difficulties with payments and completing transactions with various credit cards have raised suspicions of a nationwide credit card malfunction in Israel.

Aggressive competition between credit card companies, driven by the battle for the FLY CARD franchise, has led to significant marketing expenses. Isracard and Cal report growth in credit portfolios amid leadership changes.

A resident of Givatayim is accused of exploiting the mailing of new credit cards to customers to steal them from mailboxes and request changes to their details. The cards were used for a series of cash withdrawals and purchases. While in custody, he continued to threaten: "When I get out of here, I will scam the whole country."

The credit card company's net profit rose by approximately 4% to 104 million shekels, excluding the one-time payment received from El Al for transferring the FlyCard club to Isracard, which stood at 23 million shekels in the second quarter. In total, the overall compensation CAL expects to receive for the termination of the engagement with El Al stands at 75 million shekels.

The peak travel season is here. We dove into the fine print of credit card companies and clubs to find out who really provides the best value for your pre-flight experience.

Credit card company CAL is planning to reduce its workforce by 10% to 15%, affecting 150 to 220 positions. This move follows the loss of the El Al FlyCard franchise to Isracard earlier this year.

Globes presents an index examining the volume of credit card purchases in Israel. Phoenix Gamma data shows a sharp spike in spending on family activities.

Data from the Shva company points to a sharp jump and record credit card spending this month, alongside a record-breaking cash withdrawal amount — at a level not seen since the outbreak of the war. The sharp increase was recorded in the leisure, food, and restaurant sectors, while the aviation and tourism industries recorded an opposite trend.

Benefits worth millions of dollars accumulated from business purchases flow directly into the pockets of executives. However, a potential tightening of tax enforcement could shake the profitability model of major Israeli loyalty programs, primarily El Al's frequent flyer club.

El Al's "Matmid" frequent flyer program has appealed to the Second Authority for Television and Radio to pull a new Max commercial for the SkyMax card. The company claims the ad misleads consumers regarding point redemption terms.

Despite the high cost of living, Israelis have not stopped using their credit cards. Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics published on Wednesday shows that between April and June 2026, credit card expenditures rose by 5.7% compared to the same period, indicating that private consumption continues to grow, albeit at a more moderate pace than earlier this year.

According to the Bank of Israel's annual report, the average cost of managing a current account and credit card in 2025 was 379 shekels. With an average of 2.6 accounts per household, the annual cost for a family reaches approximately 1,000 shekels.

Credit cards are often seen as a tool for expense control, but the "fixed charge" feature hides an expensive revolving credit. Here is why installments and deferred payments are economically disadvantageous.

MAX customers may be eligible for compensation following a court-approved settlement regarding the collection of card fees after the end of a waiver period without specific prior notification.

The strengthening of the shekel has made travel cheaper, but choosing the right payment method is crucial to avoid hidden fees. Understanding the difference between bank accounts, currency wallets, and credit cards can save families thousands of shekels.

The Competition Authority is set to approve the sale of credit card company CAL to Union and Harel. The deal, valued at 3.7 billion shekels, will proceed with soft conditions and restrictions on data sharing.