International Specialist in Payment Systems Presents Study on the Sector

4th December, 2013

Main Portuguese financial institutions organise debate on importance of electronic payments.

Conference Programme

Study - The Economics and Regulation of the Portuguese Retail Payment System

CONFERENCE - The Portuguese Payment System

Today Associação Portuguesa de Bancos (APB - Portuguese Banking Association) held a conference on payment systems at the Tivoli Conference Centre in Lisbon. The guest of honour was Prof. David Evans from the University of Chicago Law School, who presented a study entitled The Economics and Regulation of the Portuguese Retail Payments System.

One of the purposes of this event was to provide more information on the Portuguese payment system and the way it operates. It is internationally recognised as one of the most developed in the world and a shining example of Portugal's capacity for achievement.

According to Vítor Bento, who chairs the APB's working group on the subject, “The aim of this initiative, which features the main Portuguese financial institutions, is to study, analyse and discuss a subject that has been undervalued until now. The Portuguese payment system is increasingly important in the consumer society and must be analysed and defended”.

The conference was also attended by Silveira Godinho, CEO of Banco de Portugal, Fernando Faria de Oliveira, President of the APB, representatives of the main card systems in Portugal (MULTIBANCO, MasterCard and Visa) and a payment specialist from the consulting firm McKinsey. Paulo Núncio, Secretary of State for Tax Affairs, was responsible for the closing session.