Visa Flexible Credential Expands Globally: Bringing More Payment Choices to Consumers and Businesses
U.S. Launch with Affirm
For the first time in the U.S., Visa’s Flexible Credential is set to debut with the Affirm Card, a new kind of debit card that allows eligible consumers to choose between paying in full or opting for a buy now, pay later (BNPL) option directly from the Affirm app. This rollout brings a new level of payment flexibility, integrating both debit and installment options on a single card.
Max Levchin, CEO of Affirm, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating: “Our mission has always been to build honest financial products that improve lives. The Affirm Card exemplifies this by offering seamless payment options without late or hidden fees, allowing more consumers control over their finances.”
Liv’s Multicurrency Solution in the UAE
In the United Arab Emirates, Liv, the region’s first digital bank by Emirates NBD, is introducing Visa Flexible Credential to offer a multicurrency experience. This new feature simplifies cross-border payments for frequent travelers by allowing access to multiple currency accounts (including USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, and AUD) from a single card.
Pedro Sousa Cardoso, Chief Digital Officer at Emirates NBD, highlighted the innovation: “Partnering with Visa enables us to offer our customers a flexible card solution tailored to their evolving needs, making cross-border payments simpler and more transparent.”
Innovative Payment Solutions for Small Businesses in Japan
Since launching the Olive Card in Japan in collaboration with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company (SMCC), Visa Flexible Credential has attracted over 3 million account holders. The majority of users utilize the feature to switch seamlessly between debit, credit, and prepaid accounts. A new update targets small businesses, allowing them to access credit and manage cash flow more efficiently by toggling between business and personal accounts from the same card.
A New Era of Payments Flexibility
Visa’s Flexible Credential marks a shift from the traditional one-card-one-type model to a dynamic solution that adapts to consumers’ needs, allowing payments from various funding sources. Jack Forestell, Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, noted: “Our vision is to provide consumers with more choices in how they pay, collaborating with innovative partners like Affirm, Liv, and SMCC to meet the diverse financial needs across different markets.”
As Visa continues to roll out its Flexible Credential globally, the program promises to offer greater control and customization for consumers, making payments more versatile and accessible around the world.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
The Affirm Card is a Visa® debit card issued by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. You must request and be approved to get the Card. Getting the Card does not guarantee the ability to pay over time. You must apply for pay-over-time plans for each purchase in the mobile app. Pay-over-time plans are subject to eligibility checks and are provided by affirm.com/lenders. For licenses and disclosures, see affirm.com/licenses.
