HSBC Bank has selected SchlumbergerSema as the key smart card supplier for its EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) migration programme from mag-stripe to smart Visa cards.
Under the agreement, SchlumbergerSema will handle the bank's UK Visa card supply chain, from secure manufacturing through to personalisation and fulfillment.
HSBC will generate the personalisation files, while SchlumbergerSema handles the downstream processes at its Fareham facility - from plastic card production, printing and embossing, magnetic stripe and chip personalisation to linking the cards with personalised letters to be sent directly to each of the bank's customers. The new chip cards are expected to make up some 80% of the output.
The contract is specific to the UK. Globally, SchlumbergerSema will continue to provide global card manufacturing and additional services to meet local HSBC requirements.
Bill Barritt, senior manager, supplied services at HSBC Bank, says: "We need an EMV migration partner who can deliver first class service and manufacturing, and SchlumbergerSema does exactly that."