Is embossed bank card fading out?

EMBOSSED bank cards may be about to fade away as banks are ditching the raised font in favour of slimline cards.

Bank cards have always been embossed as a physical impression of the card needed to be taken for payment to be processed. But this is now done digitally – so raised numbers are no longer necessary.

Trim debit cards, which are said to be more durable and easier to read, are being sent to current account customers at NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland after the group trialled the design with premier account holders.

A brochure sent to customers reads: ‘Your unembossed card may look and feel different, but it works just like your old card and is just as secure.’ The group says it is issuing the cards in a ‘phased approach’, so not everyone will receive one at the same time – but blind and partially sighted customers will always have embossed cards.

A spokesman said: ‘These cards are more durable so people will not need to request replacements due to numbers wearing off.’