The financial card industry is evolving differently across regions, shaped by economic conditions, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences. While some markets prioritize eco-friendly materials and biometric authentication, others focus on instant issuance and premium card designs.

Understanding these regional differences enables financial institutions to develop tailored strategies that align with both technological advancements and customer expectations.

Regional trends in financial cards

Europe

European financial institutions are leading the way in sustainable card materials, driven by stringent environmental regulations and consumer demand for eco-friendly products. For instance, banks such as BNP Paribas have started issuing biodegradable and FSC-certified wooden cards.
Security and personalization are also evolving, with:

  • Widespread adoption of flat printing and laser engraving for sleek, modern designs.
  • High penetration of contactless and growing penetration of biometric-enabled cards.

North America

In the US, metal cards continue to dominate the premium banking segment, with financial institutions such as American Express and JPMorgan Chase offering exclusive metal card options for high-net-worth customers.
The focus is also shifting toward security and convenience, with trends such as:

  • Expansion of instant issuance programs at bank / credit union branches, ensuring immediate access to new or replacement cards.
  • Adoption of dynamic CVV and tokenization to enhance digital security.
  • Growing demand for co-branded cards, as partnerships between financial institutions and retailers increase to drive customer loyalty.

Latin America

Latin America is experiencing rapid digital transformation, with increasing adoption of contactless payments and mobile wallet integration. Financial institutions like Banco do Brasil and BBVA are investing in:

  • Biometric authentication for enhanced security and fraud prevention.
  • Ιnstant issuance solutions to provide customers with immediate access to payment cards.
  • EMV chip technology adoption to comply with international security standards and reduce card-present fraud.

Africa

Financial inclusion is a primary focus in Africa, with many banks, including Ecobank and Standard Bank, prioritizing durable and cost-effective EMV chip cards. Technological advancements in card issuance are enabling:

  • Increased deployment of contactless and mobile-integrated payment solutions.
  • Central issuance is preferred in underbanked countries due to logistical challenges and cost efficiency, while financially developed regions are transitioning to instant issuance for greater convenience.
  • Rapid growth in digital wallet-based solutions and mobile payments such as M-PESA

Asia

Asia is at the forefront of biometric authentication, with institutions such as ICBC in China, rolling out fingerprint-enabled payment cards. Given the region’s technological advancements, key trends include:

  • Rapid expansion of digital wallet/mobile pay solutions – especially in China which has become primarily a cashless and cardless economy, with the vast majority of shoppers using their phones (digital wallets) to pay for items in person and online. Digital wallets WeChat Pay and Alipay are China’s two most popular payment methods, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the mobile payments market.
  • Growing demand for highly customized cards, requiring advanced printing technologies.
  • Expansion of dual-interface cards to facilitate seamless contact and contactless transactions.

Middle East

The Middle East has a strong luxury-oriented market, with banks like Emirates NBD offering premium metal card options. High-security measures and exclusive features are also prevalent, such as:

  • Advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication for financial transactions.
  • Centralized issuance systems tailored for personalized, high-end card designs.

SAARC

Urbanization and digital banking growth are fueling demand for contactless technology in SAARC countries. Institutions such as HDFC Bank and Bank of Ceylon are investing in:

  • Instant issuance solutions to serve underbanked populations effectively.
  • EMV and biometric security integrations to enhance transaction safety.

Matica solutions addressing to financial card trends across regions

Matica supports financial institutions worldwide with modular and scalable issuance solutions tailored to regional trends:

Central issuance solutions:

  • S7000: A high-speed modular system for mass personalization.
  • S7000Jet: Drop on Demand (DoD) inkjet printing for cost-effective card personalization.
  • S5200LX and S5200LXCO2: Precision laser engraving for premium metal and eco-friendly wooden cards.

Instant issuance solutions:

  • S3300e: Secure and compact instant issuance of embossed, encoded cards for branch-level personalization.
  • S3610: Comprehensive instant issuance solution combining thermal printing, card embossing and dual-interface encoding with multiple feeders.
  • S3110: User-friendly and robust instant issuance system combining thermal printing and dual-interface encoding – ideal for personalizing pre-printed card templates.

Software solutions:

Matica’s solutions provide financial institutions with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless, secure, and customizable card issuance that aligns with evolving market demands.

Contact our sales team to implement the right financial card issuance strategy for your region.

Contact SALES