IST Supports BBVA’s Launch of AI-Designed Personalized Payment Cards

IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST) and BBVA have expanded their partnership to launch AI-designed personalized payment cards in Spain, combining a generative AI solution developed by BBVA with IST’s advanced card manufacturing and personalization capabilities to deliver hyper-personalized physical and digital card experiences. 

This initiative enables BBVA customers to create unique AI-generated avatar images directly within the bank’s mobile app, either with a written prompt or an uploaded photograph. These personalized images can then be featured on both their physical and digital payment cards.

IST plays a key role in turning these digital creations into tangible products by providing the card manufacturing, printing, and personalization services behind each design.

The solution launched in Spain in June 2026, with plans for a broader international rollout. The launch coincides with the 55th anniversary of BBVA’s first Visa card in Spain.

This initiative was showcased at BBVA’s annual innovation event, Futura 2026, where the bank highlighted its focus on highly personalized solutions designed to engage younger generations.

Hyper-personalization as a banking priority

The launch reflects a broader industry shift toward tailored solutions, particularly among younger consumers who expect products that align with their identity and lifestyle. Although the financial services ecosystem continues to digitize experiences, the physical payment card remains one of the few tangible touchpoints connecting a bank with its customers.

Payment cards are no longer viewed solely as a transactional tool. They have become a powerful brand asset for issuers and a means of self-expression for consumers.

Recent consumer research shows that:

• More than one-third of consumers say card design influences how they perceive their bank
• The figure rises to 51% among those aged 18 to 37
• 54% of consumers aged 18-37 express interest in personalized card designs¹

For financial institutions, card personalization is a strategic driver of customer acquisition, engagement, and loyalty, while reinforcing the payment card’s role as a tangible brand touchpoint in an increasingly digital banking ecosystem.

At BBVA, we have reached a new milestone in payment innovation by becoming the first bank in the world to enable customers to create their own unique card designs with generative AI directly within our app. The response from our customers has been fantastic, showing us that combining AI and personalization can create a completely new kind of connection between customers and their bank. Turning that vision into a physical card was part of our ambition from day one, and IST understood it immediately, providing us with the manufacturing and personalization solutions we needed to make it a reality at scale, with the quality and security our customers expect from us.
Javier López Chicote, Head of Innovation at Retail Client Solutions, BBVA.

We are proud to build on our long-standing partnership with BBVA and help bring these AI-generated card designs into the physical world. As hyper-personalization becomes an important expectation for consumers, this initiative demonstrates how issuers can deliver differentiated experiences that strengthen customer engagement and long-term loyalty.
Tomas Kovarik, South Europe & CEE VP, Payment Services, IDEMIA Secure Transactions  

What is BBVA’s AI-designed personalized payment card? A payment card whose design is created using generative AI and personalized by the customer through the bank’s app.

Can BBVA customers use the design on both physical and digital cards? Yes, the AI-generated design can be applied to both physical and digital payment cards.

What does IDEMIA Secure Transactions provide? IDEMIA Secure Transactions provides card manufacturing, printing, and personalization services for custom-designed payment cards.

¹ Independent consumer survey conducted by Dentsu Insights across 14 countries globally, comprising 3,400 respondents.