Around 3 million Britons will be expected to transfer their card balances in the first three months of 2009, according to Abbey Credit Cards.

Their new research indicates that over £7 billion pounds will be moved between credit cards, as card users will want to take advantage of introductory balance transfer periods.

Card switchers will transfer an average balance of more than £2,000 between providers in the first quarter of 2009 as Britons follow up on their New Year's resolutions to get their finances in shape.

In the same period in 2008, £8 billion was shifted between credit cards, and it was found that people between 25 and 34 years old, were most likely to transfer their cards, taking up 15 per cent of transferees, while 55 and 64-year-olds are the least likely where only 3 per cent were found to do so.

Callum Gibson, Head of Credit Cards at Abbey, comments: "The New Year is an ideal time for people to review their finances and by transferring a credit card balance to a card with a 0 per cent introductory offer, consumers can ensure they are managing their finances as effectively as possible."