Tietoevry Banking has teamed up with Swedish FinTech Tapeeze to introduce a new wave of customizable, tokenized payment cards. This collaboration aims to transform traditional banking cards into personalized, secure, and multifunctional financial accessories — offering banks, brands, and consumers a fresh approach to payments.
Banks, Brands, and Fans: A Win-Win Collaboration
Imagine paying for your morning coffee with a card designed with your favorite football team’s logo or a sleek design from your preferred car brand. That’s precisely what this partnership delivers. Tietoevry Banking’s latest venture lets banks, FinTech companies, and non-bank brands — think sports clubs, music festivals, or even major corporations — create custom-branded, tokenized cards.
For sports fans, this means supporting their team with every tap or swipe. For brands, it’s a chance to create a powerful, pocket-sized loyalty tool. And for banks? They’re looking at improved customer engagement and a coveted “top-of-wallet” status as users repeatedly reach for their personalized card.
Ruth Hessner, Head of Card Personalisation at Tietoevry Banking, explained the vision: “We see fantastic global potential in this first-of-its-kind partnership, which has given rise to a truly unique offering. For sports clubs with huge fanbases, these cards will enable fans to show their colours every time they pay while generating revenue for their club.”
Bringing Tokenization to Physical Cards
While digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay already rely on tokenization for secure transactions, Tapeeze is pioneering the same technology in physical cards. These tokenized cards offer enhanced security — safeguarding against skimming and fraud — while introducing optional biometric verification for an extra layer of safety.
- Secure tokenization protects sensitive card data.
- Optional biometric features provide added security.
- Compatibility with both Visa™ and Mastercard™ ensures global acceptance.
The twist? It’s the first time this tech is available to non-banking brands, unlocking new revenue opportunities for businesses beyond traditional financial institutions.
Fast, Sustainable, and Flexible Production
Time to market is a critical factor — and this partnership prioritizes speed and sustainability. Tietoevry Banking’s advanced production methods promise faster rollouts of custom cards with a reduced environmental footprint.
Under this model, non-banking brands can issue personalized cards quickly and at a lower cost than traditional production methods. From sports teams to fashion brands and even large corporations, the ability to design, distribute, and integrate custom cards into payment networks has never been simpler.
Who’s Already Onboard?
Several Swedish sports clubs, including AIK, Björklöven, Timrå IK, and Djurgården, are already piloting this technology — turning fan loyalty into a revenue stream with custom-branded cards. Each payment becomes a micro-statement of support.
It’s not just sports teams getting in on the action. Corporations are also eyeing this tech to issue branded cards for employee expenses, travel perks, and entertainment, further extending the cards’ versatility.
Mikael Kesha, CCO and Co-Founder of Tapeeze, summed it up: “At Tapeeze, we are revolutionising the very concept of payment cards — what they can do and how they look. The demand for customisable, tokenised payment cards is growing rapidly as businesses now recognise that payment cards are more than just a transaction tool.”
This partnership could redefine the humble payment card — transforming it from a basic financial tool into a powerful branding statement and a secure, personalized accessory. And with the backing of major payment networks like Visa™ and Mastercard™, the possibilities are nearly endless.
