By Eliane Portillo

The presence of Platinum credit cards in Mexico grew more than other types of plastics and credit also, according to information from the Bank of Mexico.

This item has increased 20%, while gold cards contracted 17.2% and the classic increased 17.3%. In August of last year there were 637,000 silver cards and for the same month of the following year 767,000 units, according to a recent report on credit cards carried out by the central agency.

The credit limit has also increased in the period. In August, 2010 it was of $88,000 pesos and for the same month the following year was of $98,000 dollars.

According to a study by MasterCard, the segment of high purchasing power, which has access to cards of financing major lines, represents 3% of the Mexican population.

It is estimated that this concentrated around 17% of total income and 19% of total private consumption in the country, said the study of the electronic payments firm.

Characteristics of this cardholders group is that they are demanding the service offered by their bank, they seek exclusive access and preferential treatment.

In the past year, the average interest that institutions claimed in Platinum cards decreased, while in August 2010 it was of 19.2%, a year later was in 17.3%.

Regarding to balance of customers, what it showed is that they are not using their entire credit lines. The average balance was $33,000 pesos.