San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) is the latest issuer to offer customized payment cards using technology provided by Serverside Group.
Through myOwn Card, which went live late 2008, SDCCU is inviting cardholders to "let their personalities shine through" by allowing personal designs on the face of individual Visa credit and check cards - visit sdccu.com for more information.
Once the cardholder has logged onto the site, cardholders can either upload an image of their own or choose one from a variety of galleries, including San Diego beaches and plants. Using a cutting-edge designer, they can then enlarge, rotate, move or flip their chosen image so they get just the card they want in a matter of seconds. No software downloads are needed and the entire card design process is secure.
In the current economic climate, card customization is proving an important element of an issuer's product offering. By letting people design their own cards online, issuers are seeing increased card usage and bigger balances. Photo cards are also a great way to acquire new cardholders and - critical in this market - keep existing ones through the loyalty and brand connection they generate.
San Diego County Credit Union is using an entry-level version of Serverside's AllAboutMe online card designer. Now, a uniquely branded card customization program is within reach of all issuers, not just the bigger ones, and can be launched in a matter of days.
San Diego County Credit Union is the latest U.S. credit union to partner with Serverside and joins the 200 card issuers globally using the company's market-leading technology.
Cindy Gervais, Senior Vice President, San Diego County Credit Union, commented: "We are very excited to offer our members this unique service and Serverside Group has made it easy to do. Not only does the photo card make the SDCCU card front-of-wallet, it gives the cardholder that something extra they expect from their primary financial institution. We strive to not only provide our members with superior financial products, but to be on the cutting edge of new technology that improves the user experience."
Adam Elgar, President, Serverside Group, added"In this market, it's vital that issuers extract the maximum value from every cardholder relationship. Photo cards, which sit front-of-wallet, enable you to do just that. I also think the relationship issuers have with their customers is more important than ever right now, and enabling cardholders to associate more closely with your brand by having a favorite photo alongside your logo consolidates and prolongs that relationship. Loyal customers are a huge asset in the current climate."