Cards in Action — Practical Use-Cases for Modern Businesses

Physical payment cards aren’t just a way to pay—they’re a bank’s most visible, most used, and most direct marketing tool.

Tapio Vailahti / July 16, 2025

Previously, we established why physical cards remain the most powerful marketing platform for banks and their clients.

Now, let’s step into the real world and see how businesses put these cards to work—building trust, driving efficiency, and reinforcing brand values every day. 

 

For Fintechs 

  • Instant debit card issuance: Speeding up onboarding and creating powerful, positive first impressions. The very first touchpoint—a physical card—anchors brand memory for new users. 
  • Brand experience: Physical cards serve as the centerpiece of a fintech’s identity, living in customers’ wallets and reinforcing trust each time they’re used. 

 

For SMEs 

  • Branded expense cards: More than just a spending mechanism, these cards give employees autonomy and responsibility while managers enjoy real-time oversight. Every transaction reinforces both the SME’s and the bank’s brand. 
  • Professional image: Expense cards help businesses project a unified, trustworthy image to both teams and clients, building confidence inside and outside the organization. 

 

For Logistics and Payroll 

  • Payroll cards: Critical for companies with distributed teams or gig workers. They make it easy to pay people quickly and track expenses accurately. 
  • Efficiency and values: A branded card is an efficiency tool and, when made from recycled materials, signals sustainability as a shared value between employer and staff. 

 

Premium and Sustainable Cards: Brand Values in Customers’ Hands 

  • Premium cards: Metal, wood, and other luxury finishes are sought after by businesses wishing to reward their teams or impress clients. These distinctive cards help a brand stand out in any wallet. 
  • Sustainable cards: Growing demand for recycled and bio-based materials reflects expectations for genuine environmental action. In 2024, 75% of cards delivered by Tietoevry Banking in the Nordics were made with sustainable materials, meeting both regulatory and customer expectations. 

 

Physical cards do far more than enable payments—they empower businesses to grow, build trust, and communicate values in tangible ways at every transaction. To truly appreciate their impact, revisit our previous blog for a deeper dive into why physical cards are still the ultimate marketing asset in today’s digital world.  

Card Personalization

Express your unique brand and improve business performance with Tietoevry Banking's range of cards and services.

Learn more
Tapio Vailahti
Head of Innovation & Development, Banking Card Personalization

Share on Facebook Share on Threads Share on LinkedIn