LCL, a prominent French bank, has announced its plan to revamp its entire range of bank cards. The renewal process has already started this month with the introduction of the new designs for Visa Premier and Visa Cleo cards. This move is part of a broader trend in the banking industry to modernize the aesthetic and functionality of card designs.
In the coming months, LCL will gradually roll out the new designs for its other cards. The Visa Business & Visa Gold Business cards, targeted at professional customers, will be updated by May, followed by the launch of the MaCarteLCL Mastercard designed for young people aged 12 to 17 in June.
According to LCL, customers will be able to enjoy these new features by renewing their cards or by switching to a different card range. The bank emphasizes that the transition to the new designs will be a gradual process.
The newly designed LCL cards align with current trends in the industry. Notable changes include the relocation of the unique card number from the front to the back, now laser engraved instead of embossed. The front of the card features only the bank logo, Visa and CB acceptance networks, and the cardholder’s name. To enhance easy identification, some cards will have colored edging, such as blue for Visa Premier and yellow for business cards. Additionally, the cards will be made from 100% recycled PVC and will have an extended validity period of 3 to 4 years.
It is worth noting that LCL is not alone in this card redesign movement. Many online banks have already embraced change, prompting traditional banks to follow suit. BNP Paribas, La Banque Postale, and the Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale federations have all recently launched their own card renewal initiatives. However, Crédit Agricole and Société Générale are among the major French banks that still retain the traditional card design.
In conclusion, LCL is embarking on a comprehensive transformation of its bank card range, with new designs being introduced gradually. The updated cards boast modern and minimalist aesthetics, combined with functional improvements. This move follows the footsteps of online banks and is part of a broader industry-wide trend.
