The credit card market appears to be returning to growth after a long period of contraction. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's latest banking statistics, released on Friday, show strong growth in credit card balances at the end of last year.In the three months to December, credit card balances grew by 3.4 per cent. Over the two years to December, balances fell by 0.8 per cent.Leading the way in the December quarter was Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, whose credit card book grew by 4.7 per cent. Westpac's credit card balance was up 4.3 per cent, National Australia Bank's was up 3.9 per cent, Commonwealth Bank's was up 3.4 per cent and ME Bank's was up 3.2 per cent.