IDEMIA, Arab National Bank Launch Braille Payment Card

IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST), a division of France-based IDEMIA Group, and a leading provider of payment and connectivity solutions for financial institutions, mobile network operators, and automotive manufacturers, has partnered with Arab National Bank (anb) to launch the first payment card in Saudi Arabia with Braille printing technology.

All essential features of the card, including the card number, expiry date, and CVV are printed in Braille. The development marks a first in the kingdom, exemplifying the shared ambitions of IST and the Riyadh-based lender to build a strong partnership based on progress and innovation.

The innovative solution in the payment market aims to improve accessibility for visually impaired cardholders by tackling barriers in payment processes, particularly in online transactions that often require unsettling third-party interventions. The Braille printed cards empower consumers to be independent and ensures secured payments.

IST has consistently distinguished itself as a provider of solutions adapted to all. This innovation aligns with the inclusive approach with the creation of Touch Card, which enables blind and partially sighted customers to identify their payment cards, as well as the development of biometric payment cards. The Braille card is seen as a step further in this inclusive payment strategy and a real achievement for both IST and anb.

Hennie Du Plessis, Senior Vice President, Payment Services, Middle East & Africa at IDEMIA, says, “This partnership with Arab National Bank on an inclusive payment solution is a genuine source of pride for IDEMIA Secure Transactions. It underscores our ambition to pursue our development in the country, following our implementation with a card personalization center in Riyadh. We are pleased to be the first in the kingdom to offer this innovative and inclusive feature, and we will remain dedicated to bringing ambitious innovations to the people of Saudi Arabia in the years to come.”

Khaled Alrashed, Head of Retail Banking at Arab National Bank, adds, “anb’s launch of the Braille card represents a step forward in its commitment to make its services accessible to all segments of society. It also encompasses boosting social well-being and improving the overall customer experience by leveraging all resources and capabilities to stimulate meaningful change. anb shapes its community programmes and initiatives around a set of core values: sustainability, empowerment, innovation, partnership, and meaningful impact.”