# Credit card additions rise ahead of festive season

> Indian banks added 1.26 million credit cards in September, second-highest monthly level this year as they prepare for holidays.
- Title: Credit card additions rise ahead of festive season | Shortify
- Summary: Indian banks added 1.26 million credit cards in September, second-highest monthly level this year as they prepare for holidays. Indian banks added 1.26…
- Keywords: hdfc bank, axis bank, sbi cards, credit card additions, festive season, reserve bank of india, indian lenders, Credit, card, additions, rise, ahead
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/credit-card-additions-hit-second-highest-monthly-level-in-2026-as-banks-gear-up-for-festive-season/articleshow/135244463.cms
- Author: Saloni Shukla
- Published: 2026-10-27T18:59:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hdfc bank, axis bank, sbi cards, credit card additions, festive season, reserve bank of india, indian lenders
## Credit card additions rise
Indian lenders added 1.26 million net credit cards in September, the second-highest monthly level this year.
## HDFC and Axis Bank lead additions
HDFC Bank and Axis Bank together added 539,878 cards in September, accounting for nearly 43% of net additions.
## Quarterly growth accelerates
Banks added 3.72 million net credit cards in the July-September quarter, a 47% increase from the previous year.
## Festive season preparation
Banks expanded card portfolios ahead of the prime festive season, with September additions 25% above September 2025 levels.
## Key takeaway

Indian banks added 1.26 million net credit cards in September, the second-highest monthly level this year, ahead of the festive season.