In a business environment with both online and offline offerings, metal payment cards have been massively adopted by users representing a booming market. A 2018 global consumer study indicated that more than 50% of consumers are willing to pay for a metal card, 70% of whom are under the age of 35. Fintech firms have nearly all adopted metal payment cards and major banks are also providing metal cards to their high net worth customers.

To satisfy this growing demand while still delivering the convenience customers expect, Idemia is investing to expand its leading offer of metal cards and launching Smart Metal Art suite of products. Smart Metal Art is the very first metal payment card fully suitable for contactless payments with no restrictions. According to the company, it offers endless graphical possibilities thanks to its non-magnetic, decorated metal core, protected by layers that can be transparent or printed.

Smart Metal Art includes patented technology, developed by US firm X Core and recently acquired by Idemia. These patents allow for perfect dual interface performance, as well as decoration capabilities, which are then encapsulated within protective layers. Smart Metal Art will be manufactured by Idemia in the Exton, Pennsylvania, USA facility.

At a time when banks need to differentiate strongly from one another, this game-changing technology gives them free reign over their card designs while allowing them to use unrivaled graphics such as etching or a brushed look combined with high-definition coloring techniques on their metal cards.

Thanks to this proprietary technology, Idemia will enable even more financial institutions to distribute its latest-generation dual-interface metal payment cards to premium customers, in volume around the world. Idemia’s end-to-end contactless metal card offer encompasses design, manufacture, personalisation and product packaging.

Smart Metal Art has been certified by Visa, Mastercard and Amex, with no restriction on contactless performance, giving Idemia’s clients the opportunity of a very rapid go-to-market for their metal cards.

"Payment cards are the latest marketing asset for banks for customer acquisition. Acquiring X Core is entirely consistent with Idemia’s strategy to offer cutting-edge technology to its customers without ever compromising on security or convenience. Our new offer, Smart Metal Art, delivers the best high-end cards combined with unmatched contactless payment features, which will be a game changer for end-users." said Amanda Gourbault, Executive Vice-President for Financial Institutions activities at Idemia.