Card issuance for banks: EMV cards, personalization and instant issuance in the branch
A bank card’s path from production to the customer: EMV chip, card body, central vs instant personalization, the LUX10, LUX50 and LUX300L systems, certifications and volume planning.
To the customer a card is a piece of plastic. To the bank it is a process made of a chip, an operating system, a personalization line and logistics. Here are the stages of card issuance and which equipment is needed at each point.
1. The card itself: chip and body
An EMV card consists of a chip (with an operating system certified by the payment scheme), an antenna (for contactless) and a body. The body can be PVC, composite, metal or an eco material. Design, varnish, hologram and embossing are chosen at this stage. Ho&Bros EMV cards are produced on chip platforms certified for Visa, Mastercard and other schemes.
2. Personalization: central or instant
Personalization writes the customer’s name, number and chip data onto the card. There are two approaches:
- Central issuance. Large volumes are produced in a central bureau on high-throughput systems (for example the LUX300L laser engraving system) and shipped to branches. Unit cost is low, but the customer waits several days.
- Instant issuance. The card is made in the branch in front of the customer: a desktop system such as the LUX10 personalizes the chip and prints the card in minutes. The customer leaves with a working card and the bank avoids mailing and lost-card costs.
For mid-sized banks systems such as the LUX50 offer a middle path: enough throughput for a regional centre or a large branch.
3. Security and certifications
Every place where card data is handled must meet payment scheme requirements: certification of production and personalization sites, key management (HSM), access control and audit. When choosing a supplier, check that the chip platform and the bureau certifications are current.
4. Volume planning
- Annual demand: new customers, expiring cards, lost cards.
- Product lines: debit, credit, premium, corporate; each with its own design and material.
- Reserve: 10 to 15% extra for design changes and campaigns.
- Logistics: the split between central and instant issuance, the number of branch devices.
Gpolicy, the exclusive Ho&Bros partner in Azerbaijan, supplies EMV cards, the Lighthouse issuance platform and LUX issuance systems to banks on a project basis. Contact us and we will design an issuance scheme for your volumes and branch network.
Frequently asked questions
What is instant issuance?
Personalizing and handing over a card in the branch, in front of the customer, within minutes. It is done with desktop systems such as the LUX10.
Which payment schemes are the cards produced for?
International schemes (Visa, Mastercard and others) and domestic schemes, on certified chip platforms. Specific certifications are confirmed per project.
What is the minimum card volume?
Volume depends on design, material and chip platform and is agreed per project.