The software will enable the bank’s cardholders to leave the branch with a debit card that is activated within hours after opening a new checking account or after requesting a replacement card.
Associated Bank retail payments director and senior vice president Val Glytas said the instant issuance and activation will maximise customer convenience by increasing usage and transaction levels to offset the change in interchange revenue caused due to the Durbin Amendment.
The instant issuance will also help strengthen debit card programme security by eliminating the delay, costs and risks of sending cards through the mail.
For card production, Associated Bank will utilise the Datacard FCP 20/20 card printer, which offers security features that meets established specifications for the instant issuance of debit cards.
Associated Bank is working with Datacard Group on a phased implementation that consists of rolling out the Datacard CardWizard software and associated hardware to 150 of its branches by March 2012.
