With the Datacard instant issuance solutions, Abanca Bank customers will now have the option to walk into their local branch, open a new account or request an emergency card replacement for a lost or stolen card and instantly receive a secure and activated card. Customers can immediately use their new card to make purchases or ATM withdrawals giving them ultimate flexibility and enhancing the overall customer experience.

"Abanca Bank continuously strives to simplify and enhance the daily lives of our customers and by implementing Datacard instant issuance solutions we are able to do just that." said Eduardo Aldao, innovation director for Abanca Bank. "We now have the ability to eliminate the traditional waiting period for cards to be delivered through the mail which improves the overall customer experience."

Abanca Bank implemented Datacard financial instant issuance systems in their primary branches in October 2014 and will roll-out their program to additional branches in the coming months. The end-to-end solution includes Datacard® CE870TM instant issuance systems and associated supplies for personalization of cards, the flagship Datacard® CardWizard® instant issuance software and on-site maintenance services.

"In today's instant society, consumers are accustomed to personalized, real-time services and they expect their financial providers to deliver," said Uwe Jaspers, regional financial instant issuance director, EMEA, for Entrust Datacard. "Instant issuance is a proven way to meet these consumer demands while also driving card usage and overall profitability. The ability to issue secure financial credit and debit cards on-demand will enable Abanca Bank to differentiate their brand and remain competitive in the market."