Datacard Group, the world leader in secure ID and card personalization solutions, today announced that Bangor Savings Bank has implemented its industry-leading Datacard® CardWizard® software for instant issuance of its MasterCard® debit cards. Cardholders leave the branch with a debit card which is activated within hours after opening a new checking account or requesting a replacement card.
Bangor Savings Bank is working with Datacard Group on a three-phase implementation that will consist of rolling out the Datacard® CardWizard® software to all 55 of its branch locations throughout Maine by mid-year 2011. Instant issuance enables the bank to issue personalized MasterCard debit cards in a matter of minutes to its customers - which increases customer service levels, maximizes cardholder convenience, and strengthens debit card program security by eliminating the delay, costs and risks of sending cards through the mail. Most importantly, the bank has found that instant issuance has helped increase its debit card usage rates.
"After implementing instant issuance, early results show transaction usage levels for instant issue debit cards as compared to those ordered in the traditional manner have shown a lift of nearly 53%, which is huge," said Joyce Clark-Sarnacki, senior vice president and director of Retail Experience. "Another result that exceeded our expectations is the 'wow' customer experience being reported by our branches when they are able to instantly replace a lost or damaged card. Instant issuance is one of the best strategic decisions we've made, especially with the changing regulatory landscape, because we have positioned ourselves as a bank that can offer a competitive and innovative card program that is customer-centric, which helps us gain new customers."
For card production, Bangor Savings Bank is utilizing the Datacard® FCP 20/20 card printer, which offers security features that meets established specifications for the instant issuance of Visa® and MasterCard® debit cards. The FCP 20/20 card printer delivers brilliant, high-definition, full-color retransfer printing with over-the-edge coverage.
Instant card issuance and activation is part of the Datacard Secure Issuance Anywhere™ infrastructure which includes scalable, flexible hardware, software, supplies, consultation and project management for any card issuance or personalization environment. The card programs can include central or instant issuance, PIN selection and PIN change, embossed or unembossed cards, mobile payments and NFC personalization, as well as contact, contactless and EMV®-compliant applications.