Overview

Credit card systems encompass platforms that manage the issuance and servicing of credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Issuing involves card creation, provisioning, underwriting, and real-time controls, while servicing focuses on account management, fraud prevention, compliance, dispute resolution, portfolio analytics, and rewards programs. These systems are critical for banks, credit unions, and fintechs to deliver scalable, secure, and innovative card programs while ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing customer experiences. By leveraging API-driven solutions and AI-powered analytics, these platforms enable rapid deployment, personalized offerings, and efficient operations, transforming credit card management into a competitive advantage.

What’s Going On in Credit Card Systems

In 2025, the global credit card market continues to expand, driven by rising consumer demand for digital and embedded finance solutions. According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. credit card debt reached $1.14 trillion in Q2 2025, reflecting a 5.8% increase year-over-year, fueled by post-pandemic spending and inflation. Delinquency rates for credit cards rose to 3.2%, the highest since 2012, per the American Bankers Association, underscoring the need for robust servicing solutions.

The credit card systems market is projected to grow to $4.8 billion in 2025, driven by innovations like Credit-Card-as-a-Service (CCaaS) and Credit Card Operating Systems (ccOS). CCaaS enables rapid card program launches with minimal infrastructure, while ccOS offers end-to-end scalability for issuing and servicing. AI-driven fraud detection and real-time transaction processing are reducing fraud losses by up to 30%, while tokenization and digital wallets enhance security and user convenience. Omnichannel engagement, including mobile apps and RCS messaging, is boosting customer retention rates by 25%.

Hybrid models combining in-house and outsourced servicing are gaining traction, with community banks and credit unions adopting cost-effective platforms to compete with larger players. API integrations with ERP and CRM systems are bridging legacy gaps, enabling seamless data flow and real-time analytics for portfolio management.

Credit Card Systems Vendor Snapshot

This list is not exhaustive and does not include all vendors in the space. If you are a vendor not featured here, please contact us for consideration in future updates.

• CardWorks: Dual issuing and servicing platform, a top 15 U.S. issuer. Offers card issuance, customer care, fraud prevention, and collections with compliance-focused tech. Enhanced by 2025 Ally portfolio acquisition. Targets banks and non-prime lenders. Website: www.cardworks.com
• CoreCard: Specializes in issuing for credit, debit, and prepaid cards with API-centric platforms for origination and transaction processing. Strengthened by 2025 Euronet merger for global credit tech. Targets fintechs and banks like Goldman Sachs and Apple. Website: www.corecard.com
• Vervent: Focuses on servicing with AI-driven application processing, fraud detection, and dispute resolution for Visa and Mastercard programs. Expanded via Total Card Solutions acquisition. Targets structured finance and card marketing clients. Website: www.vervent.com
• Primax: Comprehensive issuing and servicing for community banks, offering processing, risk management, and 24/7 support. Post-2020 PSCU acquisition, provides customizable solutions for millions of accounts. Website: www.primax.us
• Fiserv: End-to-end solutions for digital issuance, processing, and risk management across debit, credit, and prepaid cards. Supports global operations in 40+ countries with partnerships like U.S. Bank’s 2025 agent program. Website: www.fiserv.com
• TSYS: Scalable issuing and servicing for card origination and lifecycle management, handling 40% of North American transactions. Post-2025 FIS acquisition, supports banks like Capital One with cloud-native APIs. Website: www.tsys.com
• Zeta: Next-gen issuing via Tachyon platform for digital/virtual/physical cards with real-time processing. Focuses on BNPL and underserved markets like Sparrow and HDFC Bank. Website: www.zeta.tech
• Elan: Turnkey issuing and servicing under U.S. Bank, managing compliance, rewards, and fraud for 1,300+ institutions. 2025 tech updates enhance security for clients like Fidelity. Website: www.elanfinancialservices.com
• FIS: Automates issuing and servicing with Payments One suite, handling trillions in transactions. 2025 Episode Six partnership modernizes cloud-native solutions for 20,000+ institutions. Website: www.fisglobal.com
• Marqeta: API-driven platform for issuing and servicing credit/debit/prepaid cards with real-time controls and tokenization. Supports clients like Square and Uber, with credit expansion via Deserve. Website: www.marqeta.com
• Galileo: API-first issuing for debit/credit/prepaid cards with real-time authorization. Ranked #1 for digital issuance in 2025 Javelin report, serving Chime and Mastercard. Website: www.galileo-ft.com
• Paymentology: Cloud-native issuing for debit/credit/prepaid cards across 60 countries with CaaS for rapid launches. Supports fintechs via Mambu and SBS partnerships. Website: www.paymentology.com
• Thredd: End-to-end issuing for debit/prepaid/credit cards with real-time B2B travel payment controls via 2025 MWP enhancement. Serves OFX and Mastercard. Website: www.thredd.com
• Adyen: Virtual/physical card issuing with multi-currency support and fraud prevention. Licensed in EU/UK/US, serves BILL for AP/AR reconciliation. Website: www.adyen.com
• Stripe: Issuing API for credit/debit/virtual cards with dynamic controls and compliance management. Supports Shopify and Fold for embedded finance. Website: www.stripe.com
• Enfuce: Modular CCaaS for issuing and servicing debit/credit/prepaid cards with instalment support. Partners with SEB Embedded for SME credit programs. Website: www.enfuce.com
  
  

What to Look For in Credit Card Systems

When selecting a credit card system, ensure alignment with your institution’s business and functional requirements for issuing and servicing.

• Regulatory Compliance: Automated monitoring, audit trails, and adherence to fair lending regulations to mitigate penalties.
• AI and Fraud Prevention: Real-time fraud detection and predictive analytics to reduce losses by 30% and prioritize high-risk accounts.
• Omnichannel Engagement: Mobile apps, RCS, and self-service portals to boost customer retention by 25% and reduce manual inquiries.
• Core System Integration: API/ERP/CRM compatibility for seamless data flow and unified portfolio management across card types.
• Scalability for Community Institutions: Cost-effective solutions for institutions under $10B in assets, supporting hybrid in-house/outsourced models.
• Analytics and Reporting: Real-time dashboards for portfolio performance, delinquency forecasting, and rewards program optimization.
  
  

For expert guidance on selecting and implementing credit card systems, consider consulting with firms like CCG Catalyst, who specialize in navigating the financial services ecosystem to match your unique requirements.

CCG Catalyst’s Sector Spotlights provide an overview of third-party solutions, products, and the vendors that deliver them. These spotlights offer insights into current innovations, emerging trends, and prominent contributors within the financial services ecosystem. —