Top Card Issuing Providers

Card issuance is no longer a prerogative for banks. Businesses from across the globe can adopt this functionality. 

With card issuance, companies can provide customers with branded cards used for closed ecosystem payments and special discount programs. These cards help businesses strengthen brand loyalty, enable global presence, and target customer differentiation.

To use card issuance, businesses need the services of card issuers — technology companies that conduct card manufacturing and issuance and provide banking services. But what card issuers exist on the market, and how to pick the right one?

In this article, you’ll discover the top 10 card issuing service providers on the market. You’ll also learn the criteria for how to decide on the perfect-fit issuer. Additionally, you will understand how to enable the card-issuing functionality in your business. 

Top 10 Card Issuing Platforms in 2024

Card issuers on the market are many. It’s essential to understand their offerings, strengths, and regions covered. This information will help you choose a card issuer whose business model suits you best. 

You can discover details on what card issuance is and how it works from another blog post by DashDevs. 

Here’s the list of the top 10 well-established, international-level card issuers for your review: 

#1 Marqeta

Marqeta is a leading card issuing platform known for its modern API-driven approach. It allows businesses to create and manage payment network cards with great flexibility and control.

Year founded: 2010

Headquarters: Oakland, California, USA

Website: www.marqeta.com 

Regions covered: Global, with a strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific

List of key features and services:

• Customizable card controls
• Real-time transaction processing
• Advanced fraud detection
• Multi-currency support
• Digital wallet integration
• Instant card issuance
• Virtual and physical cards
• Detailed reporting and analytics

Key strengths: Marqeta’s modern API-driven approach allows for no-code integration, requiring minimal technical effort. The platform offers low fees compared to competitors, extensive customization options, and seamless integration with legacy systems.

Key weaknesses: While Marqeta provides a wide range of services, there is limited availability of digital channels for communication, and there are occasional challenges with customer support responsiveness.

Best for: Fintech companies, digital banks, and businesses looking for a highly customizable and scalable card issuing solution to innovate their payment offerings.

You may discover more information about Marqeta from another blog post by DashDevs. Our fintech development integrated Marqeta into multiple software solutions. You can discover more about DashDevs experience from out portfolio page.

#2 Galileo Financial Technologies

Galileo Financial Technologies is a prominent card issuing and digital banking platform catering to a wide range of financial services. It provides comprehensive financial solutions for payment processing, program management, and fraud detection.

Year founded: 2000

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Website: www.galileo-ft.com 

Regions covered: Global, with a focus on North America and Latin America

List of key features and services:

• API-driven platform
• Digital banking solutions
• Fraud management tools
• Card management and processing
• Account and transaction services
• Multi-currency and multi-language support
• Real-time authorization and settlement
• Customizable user interfaces

Key strengths: Galileo is known for its robust API capabilities and strong focus on innovation, offering features like instant digital card issuance and extensive fraud management tools. The platform is also known for its easy integration with existing banking and financial systems.

Key weaknesses: Galileo’s platform can be complex for new users, and there have been some reports of difficulties in navigating the documentation for certain API functions.

Best for: Banks, fintech startups, and enterprises seeking a versatile and innovative platform for digital banking and card issuing services.

#3 I2c INC.

I2c Inc. is a global provider of card issuing and digital payments processing services. The company offers a highly configurable platform that supports various card types and payment programs, focusing on innovation and customer experience.

Year founded: 2001

Headquarters: Redwood City, California, USA

Website: www.i2cinc.com 

Regions covered: Global, with a strong presence in North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific

List of key features and services:

• Customizable card programs
• Multi-currency and multi-language support
• Advanced fraud and risk management
• Loyalty and rewards programs
• Real-time transaction processing
• Digital and mobile wallet integration
• Virtual and physical card issuance
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics

Key strengths: I2c Inc. offers a highly configurable platform with support for various card types and payment programs, making it ideal for businesses looking for flexibility.

Key weaknesses: The platform’s interface could be more user-friendly, and there have been occasional issues with transaction processing speed.

Best for: Financial institutions, fintech companies, and businesses looking for a scalable card issuing platform to support diverse payment and card programs.

#4 Thredd

Thredd is an established player in the card issuing space, known for its innovative and user-friendly platform. It aims to simplify the card issuance process for businesses and provide a seamless integration experience.

Year founded: 2007

Headquarters: London, England

Website: www.thredd.com 

Regions covered: Primarily focused on North America and Europe

List of key features and services:

• Virtual and physical card issuance
• Card issuance API
• Customizable card design
• Detailed reporting and analytics
• Multi-currency support 
• Real-time transaction processing

Key strengths: Thredd’s platform is known for its user-friendly interface and quick integration process. It offers a straightforward solution for businesses looking to issue virtual and physical cards efficiently.

Key weaknesses: Thredd’s focus on North America and Europe might limit its appeal to businesses operating in other regions. Additionally, the platform’s customization options are somewhat limited compared to competitors.

Best for: Businesses looking for a straightforward and efficient solution for issuing virtual and physical cards, especially those operating in North America and Europe.

#5 Stripe

Stripe is a leading technology company offering a suite of payment processing tools and services, including card issuing. Known for its ease of integration and robust API, Stripe provides businesses with the tools to create customizable payment experiences.

Year founded: 2010

Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

Website: www.stripe.com 

Regions covered: Global

List of key features and services:

• Stripe Issuing for card creation and management
• Comprehensive payment processing
• Advanced fraud detection and prevention
• Customizable checkout experiences
• Subscription and billing management
• Global payouts and currency conversion
• Detailed reporting and analytics

Key strengths: Stripe is renowned for its seamless integration, comprehensive payment solutions, and developer-friendly platform. Compared to competitors, the company offers a vast range of services and functionalities.

Weaknesses: While Stripe’s fees are competitive, they can be higher than some other providers for certain services. Additionally, some users have reported challenges with account setup and verification processes.

Best for: Businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for payment processing and card issuing.

#6 NymCard

NymCard is a modern card issuing and processing platform designed for the digital banking era. It provides fintechs and financial institutions with the tools to launch and manage card programs quickly and efficiently. It primarily focuses on the Middle East and North Africa region.

Year founded: 2018

Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Website: www.nymcard.com 

Regions covered: Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a focus on expanding globally

List of key features and services:

• Virtual and physical card issuance
• Real-time transaction processing
• Card management API
• Fraud management and compliance tools
• Multi-currency support
• Digital wallet integration

Key strengths: NymCard’s platform is designed specifically for the modern banking era, with a focus on the MENA region. It focuses on the most innovative features and has an extensive partner network.

Key weaknesses: NymCard’s regional focus on the MENA region may limit its suitability for businesses operating globally. Additionally, the platform’s integration capabilities with non-banking systems could be improved.

Best for: Fintech startups and financial institutions in the MENA region looking for a modern and flexible card issuing solution to drive digital banking innovation.

DashDevs team has experience integrating security measures and ensuring compliance with regulations applicable to software solutions for the MENA region, e.g., AML, KYC, CDD, CFT, and regional ones, including Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) regulations, SAMA, CBB, etc.

You can discover DashDevs’ success stories with businesses from the MENA region, including Inabir, Tarabut, and others that are under NDA. 

#7 Wallester

Wallester is a card issuing platform that provides businesses with the tools to create and manage their own branded payment cards. It offers a range of features, including virtual and physical card issuance, real-time transaction processing, and customizable card programs, with a focus on serving the European market.

Year founded: 2018

Headquarters: Tallinn, Estonia

Website: www.wallester.com 

Regions covered: Europe, with plans to expand globally

List of key features and services:

• Virtual and physical card issuance
• Customizable card programs
• Real-time transaction processing
• Fraud detection and prevention
• API integration
• Multi-currency support

Key strengths: Wallester offers a cost-effective solution for businesses needing to issue a large number of corporate cards, with no registration or card issuing fees. Their free subscription plan includes 500 virtual cards and an unlimited number of physical cards, making it an attractive option for companies looking to minimize expenses.

Key weaknesses: While Wallester is expanding globally, its current primary focus on Europe may be a limitation for some businesses. Additionally, there have been reports of limited options for fraud detection and prevention.

Best for: Businesses and fintechs in Europe seeking a flexible and scalable solution for issuing branded payment cards.

#8 Paymentology

Paymentology is a global card issuing and processing platform that offers advanced payment solutions for banks, fintechs, and financial institutions. It is known for its high-performance processing capabilities and real-time data insights, enabling clients to manage and optimize their card programs effectively.

Year founded: 2015

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Website: www.paymentology.com 

Regions covered: Global, with a strong presence in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa

List of key features and services:

• Virtual and physical card issuance
• Real-time transaction processing
• Advanced fraud management
• Customizable card programs
• Multi-currency and multi-language support
• API integration
• Detailed analytics and reporting

Key strengths: Paymentology is known for its high-performance processing platform and real-time data insights.

Key weaknesses: The Paymentology’s platform can be complex to navigate, particularly for those without a strong technical background. Additionally, the company’s fees may be higher than those of competitors for certain services.

Best for: Financial institutions and fintech companies looking for a high-performance card issuing and processing platform with advanced data analytics capabilities.

#9 Adyen

Adyen is a leading global payment platform that offers end-to-end payment solutions, including card issuing services. It provides businesses with the ability to issue their own payment cards and manage transactions seamlessly, supporting a wide range of payment methods and currencies.

Year founded: 2006

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Website: www.adyen.com 

Regions covered: Global

List of key features and services:

• Card issuing and processing
• Real-time transaction processing
• Fraud and risk management
• Global payment gateway
• API integration
• Detailed reporting and analytics

Key strengths: Adyen offers a comprehensive payment platform with support for a wide range of methods to process payments and seamless integration. The company is known for its robust fraud and risk management capabilities. Besides, Adyen has complete control over the entire payment flow, which means businesses can benefit from better authorization rates and lower transaction fees

Key weaknesses: Adyen’s extensive feature set and capabilities can come with a steeper learning curve for new users. Additionally, the company’s pricing structure may be less transparent than some competitors.

Best for: Businesses of all sizes looking for a comprehensive payment platform that includes card issuing capabilities and supports a wide range of payment methods.

#10 Thales

Thales is a global technology leader specializing in digital security and card issuing solutions. The company provides secure and customizable card issuing services for various types of payment cards, leveraging its extensive expertise in cybersecurity and digital identity management.

Year founded: 2000 (as part of the larger Thales Group, founded in 1968)

Headquarters: Paris, France

Website: www.thalesgroup.com 

Regions covered: Global

List of key features and services:

• Secure card issuance and personalization
• EMV chip card solutions
• Contactless card technology
• Biometric card solutions
• Digital identity verification
• Fraud prevention and risk management
• Multi-factor authentication

Key strengths: Thales specializes in digital security, offering secure and customizable card issuing services with a strong focus on cybersecurity and digital identity management. The company provides EMV chip card solutions and biometric card technologies.

Key weaknesses: Thales’ focus on security and advanced technologies may come at a higher cost compared to other providers. Additionally, the company’s platform may be more complex to integrate for businesses without a strong technical background.

Best for: Financial institutions, government agencies, and businesses looking for highly secure card issuing solutions with a focus on digital security and identity management.

If you’re interested in card issuing, you may additionally be curious about how to build a neobank that will succeed in the market. 

Let’s outline some key bits of information about the listed providers, and compared the, by 5 factors:

How to Choose a Card Issuing Provider?

Now, let’s get to know how to pick among the vast majority of card-issuing service providers on the market. There are factors you need to consider when shortlisting providers and then making a final decision. Here are some of the key facts that DashDevs team sticks to: 

• Card types and technologies: Research whether the provider offers the card types you are looking for, e.g., debit, credit, virtual, or prepaid. Also, check if it supports the technologies you need to offer your customers, e.g., EMV, contactless payments, and NFC. Although most providers already cover the majority of options, some restrictions may be imposed.
• Brand reputation: When you hesitate between choosing one or another provider, research the provider’s reputation in the industry. Look for reviews, testimonials, and any history of security breaches or compliance issues.
• Customization options: Check if the provider allows customization of card designs, features, and functionalities to align with your brand and customer requirements. Note that digital banking APIs provided by card issuers often come with standard user-facing digital interfaces. You need to clarify if you can modify them as per your needs. 
• Integration capabilities: Find out if you can integrate the provider’s services with your existing systems. Look for providers that offer flexible APIs and SDKs suitable for your software. You may have a web, desktop, or mobile native or hybrid app. It is important that the card issuing service easily integrates with your platform.
• Customer support: Consider the quality of customer support, including availability, response times, and technical expertise. Keep in mind that both you, as a partnering business, and your customers will depend on the card issuer’s customer support in case of any technical issues. 
• Cost structure: Analyze the pricing model, including setup fees, transaction fees, and any hidden costs. Ensure the cost structure is transparent and aligns with your budget. Often, a non-banking business imposes additional fees on top of the card issuer’s fees. Make sure to clarify these fees before you enter into a partnership with the card issue provider.
• Compliance and security: The provider must adhere to industry standards such as PCI DSS and have robust security measures in place to protect cardholder data. While with established providers, compliance doesn’t present an issue, specialized and recently emerged providers may face compliance troubles. Also, pay attention to citizenship and region coverage, as some providers may not be legally allowed to issue cards to individuals from certain regions or with a particular citizenship. 

Why You Need A Tech Partner to Integrate Card Issuing

Integration of card issuing functionality into a non-banking application or a product is conducted by integrating a banking API. 

You can discover in detail about banking API and types of banking APIs from other blog posts by DashDevs. 

The general process for integrating a banking API for card issuing is shown in the infographics below:

You can discover how card issuing works and what its implementation procedure is from another our blog post.

Here are the core reasons why you need a tech partner for the card issuing project, if you don’t have expert development team in-house:

• Expertise in complex systems: Tech partners possess specialized knowledge in integrating card issuing platforms, which helps to ensure a smooth and efficient setup process. Specializing in software development, they can provide fintech consulting and help to omit common mistakes associated with complex projects in this niche.
• Compliance and security: Tech partners ensure adherence to regulatory standards and implement robust security measures to protect sensitive financial data. It’s particularly important as regular compliance can be tricky, while penalties for failure to meet standards like HIPPA or GDPR can be up to 4% of annual revenue. 
• Customization and scalability: Tech partners can tailor the card issuing solution to fit your specific business needs and scale the system as your business grows. Since banking APIs by card issuing platforms come with restrictions and limitations, it’s particularly important to have someone able to squeeze the most value from the chosen technology. 
• Rapid implementation: With their experience, tech partners can accelerate the integration process, enabling faster time-to-market for your card issuing services. The experience acquired through many other fintech projects is often what separates a mediocre app from a high-value software solution. 
• Technical support: Tech partners provide ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring the system operates smoothly, and any issues are promptly resolved. It is desirable when a single partner covers all your development and maintenance needs, as it’s both effective and cost-efficient in the long run. 
• Innovation and future-proofing: Tech partners stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements, ensuring your card issuing solution remains relevant and competitive. Unsurprisingly, the basis for future updates and scaling must be established during the core development stages, so it’s vital to approach the project strategically. 

As you can observe, integration of a card issuing API is rather a complex intervention, requiring specific expertise and experience. Consider choosing DashDevs as your trusted development partner. With more than 12 years of experience, over 500 projects delivered, and a proven track record of successful cases, we are ready, willing, and able to contribute to your best fintech project. 

Drop DashDevs a line

Final Take

Card issuers and card issuing platforms are many on the market, from Marqeta and Galileo Adyen and Whales. Choose a card issuer by their reputation, cost structure, and the ability to meet the needs of your target audience. Noting that integration of card-issuing functionality into your applications requires specialized expertise. By partnering with a fintech development provider you can ensure a seamless and successful integration process.

Entrust your card issuing integration project to experienced developers from DashDevs. With hundreds of projects under our belt, our own white label fintech product for neobank launch, and over a dozen years on the development market, we can help you reach your business objectives.

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