kathimerini.gr
Greek IRIS Payments Transactions Surge 137% in 2024
IRIS Payments transactions in Greece soared 137% in 2024, reaching 57.3 million transactions valued at €6.1 billion, driven by strong growth across P2P, P2B, and eCommerce services and indicating a significant shift towards digital payments.
- How did the different IRIS Payments services (P2P, P2B, eCommerce) contribute to the overall growth, and what factors explain their varying rates of increase?
- The success of IRIS Payments, provided by banks in collaboration with DIAS, solidifies its position as a central pillar of electronic payments in Greece. This growth reflects increased user adoption, with 3.43 million IRIS P2P users (65% aged 18-35) and 557,000 registered professionals on IRIS P2B (a 259% increase from 2023).
- What are the long-term implications of the observed trends for the Greek financial system and consumer behavior, and what challenges might arise from this rapid digital transformation?
- The significant increase in IRIS Payments transactions underscores the increasing preference for digital payment methods in Greece. The rapid growth in P2B and eCommerce transactions suggests a shift towards digital business operations and consumer behavior. Continued innovation and collaboration will likely further accelerate this trend.
- What were the key growth drivers behind the substantial increase in IRIS Payments transactions in 2024, and what are the immediate implications for the Greek digital payments landscape?
- In 2024, IRIS Payments transactions surged 137% year-on-year to 57.3 million, totaling €6.1 billion (a 110% increase). This growth is driven by strong performance across its services: IRIS P2P (142%), IRIS P2B (844%), and IRIS eCommerce (94%).
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative is framed overwhelmingly positively, emphasizing the significant growth and success of IRIS Payments. The headline (if one existed) would likely mirror this positive tone. The use of phrases like "tripling," "record-breaking," and "strong growth" reinforces this positive framing. The inclusion of the CEO's positive quote further strengthens this bias. While factual, the selection and emphasis of information strongly favors a positive portrayal.
Language Bias
The language used is overwhelmingly positive and celebratory, employing terms such as "tripling," "record-breaking growth," and "strong growth." These terms are not inherently biased, but their consistent and enthusiastic use creates a celebratory and promotional tone rather than a neutral journalistic one. More neutral alternatives could include phrases like "substantial increase," "significant rise," and "growth in transactions." The constant highlighting of positive numerical data also contributes to this bias.
Bias by Omission
The provided text focuses heavily on the success and growth of the IRIS Payments system and DIAS, offering positive statistics and quotes. However, it omits potential negative aspects, such as any challenges encountered, user complaints, or security breaches. It also lacks comparative data with competing payment systems, preventing a comprehensive understanding of market share and overall trends. While brevity might justify some omissions, the lack of counterpoints creates a biased, overly optimistic picture.
False Dichotomy
The text presents a strongly positive view of IRIS Payments and DIAS, without acknowledging potential drawbacks or alternative payment methods. This creates a false dichotomy by implying that IRIS is the only successful or viable option for electronic payments in Greece.
Sustainable Development Goals
The significant increase in digital transactions via IRIS Payments, particularly among younger demographics (65% of IRIS P2P users are aged 18-35), suggests improved financial inclusion and access to digital services, potentially reducing inequalities in access to financial resources. The growth in IRIS P2B also empowers small businesses with more efficient payment systems.