Card payments have soared in popularity in the US over the last 10 years and now account for more than two thirds of all non-cash payments, according to Federal Reserve figures.
The Fed's latest 'How We Pay' study (PDF) reveals that 122.8 billion non-cash payments were made in 2012, up 4.4% on 2009. The value of these payments rose from $72.2 trillion to $79 trillion.
Cards made up 67% of all non-cash payments in 2012, up from 43% in 2003. Debit cards dominate, making up 38% of payments - 47 billion transactions. Credit cards account for 21% and pre-paid seven per cent.
The use of ACH has also grown, albeit more modestly, accounting for 18% of non-cash payments in 2012, up from 11% in 2003.
In contrast, cheque usage has plummeted, falling from 46% in 2003 to just 15% in 2012. Remote deposit capture has seen modest growth, with 17% of cheques deposited as an image in 2012, compared to 13% in 2010.
When it comes to value, cheques still made up 33% - $26 trillion - of payments in 2012, compared to just five per cent for cards and 61% for ACH.