Tietoevry Banking has published a new insight report outlining how banks can successfully modernise their card infrastructure at scale.
The research, ‘Transforming the card value chain for leading banks’, draws on transformation programmes that span over 26 million cardholders across Nordic and Baltic markets. The findings are informed by interviews with senior figures at Tier 1 banks and experts from Tietoevry Banking.
The report argues that strong technology is no longer a competitive advantage but a baseline expectation. It identifies four essential pillars for transformation success: Product, Process, Partnership and People. These dimensions shape how banks maintain continuity, adopt new operating models, and deliver long-term value to customers.
Tietoevry Banking managing director Mario Blazevic said, “Modernizing core solutions, such as cards, is a strategic investment for any bank and often spans years, markets, and organizational silos. Banks know that the risks are real: delays, cost overruns, and failed implementations, while competitive pressure and customer expectations keep rising. We know that success depends on more than modern technology and great products. It also requires trust, shared views, proper governance, and a partner who understands the operational and cultural realities of banking.”
Across Europe, more than 80% of banks are currently engaged in core system renewal, with legacy card systems and staffing constraints intensifying the need for replacement strategies. The report states that pressures such as regulatory change, fraud risk, and high maintenance costs are pushing financial institutions toward cloud-native, SaaS-based models that are more sustainable and scalable.
The publication outlines several success factors drawn from real-world implementations. Product resilience must be guaranteed with near 100% uptime and seamless integration. Effective process alignment ensures partners understand compliance, regulatory expectations and the internal structure of each bank.
Strong partnerships facilitate trust, transparency and collaborative innovation—one case study highlights more than 300,000 cards reissued within weeks with minimal errors as a result of deep collaboration between the bank and its technology partner. The final pillar, People, is presented as the determining factor, with success depending on cross-functional skills, cultural understanding and the ability to communicate across complex organisational environments.
Blazevic said, “Modern banking transformation is more than simply replacing outdated systems or implementing new solutions, it’s also about rethinking how banks operate and deliver value to their customers. But to succeed with all these things and bring these changes to life requires the support of reliable and trusted partners. These insights are drawn from real partnerships and deliveries at scale, and we hope this report helps banks ask the right questions, build the right partnerships, and succeed where others struggle.”
Tietoevry Banking serves financial institutions across more than 30 markets and employs over 3,000 specialists focused on SaaS solutions for payments, card value chains, fraud prevention, lending, and wealth management. Its modular and scalable platforms are designed to help institutions meet regulatory demands and provide better customer experiences during ongoing digital transformation.
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