Cover for the September 2026 edition of the Issuer Investment Playbook. Card issuer investments aim to improve the payment experience by accelerating platform upgrades and prioritizing AI implementation.

Visa DPS Data Shows Card Issuers Racing to Upgrade Systems

The Issuer Investment Playbook: Investing Forward, Building the Edge

PYMNTS Intelligence surveyed 500 executives at U.S. card issuers to see where they’re investing next. The findings reveal a much faster platform upgrade race, with fraud defense and AI setting the pace.

Inside the September Playbook

  • Faster upgrades: Issuers now expect their next platform upgrade in 2.4 years, down from 7.8 years. Seven in 10 plan to upgrade within three years.
  • AI for fraud: Half rank fraud detection and scoring as their top AI priority, while 89% plan to add or expand AI fraud tools.
  • Affluent-focused investments: Issuers serving affluent customers have 7.3 capabilities underway and 7.8 more planned, leading mainstream issuers in personalized rewards and portfolio analytics.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and consent to the sharing of your information with our sponsors, where applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Sponsors may use this information to contact you directly. You may update your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time.

    to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    Driving CLTV

    The Issuer Engagement Playbook: Erasing Friction, Driving Engagement The Issuer Engagement Playbook: Erasing Friction, Driving Engagement
    The Issuer Risk Playbook: Building Trust, Fueling Growth The Issuer Risk Playbook: Building Trust, Fueling Growth
    A Practical Guide to Growing Customer Lifetime Value: The High CLTV Issuer Framework A Practical Guide to Growing Customer Lifetime Value: The High CLTV Issuer Framework
    The Issuer’s Customer Lifetime Value Report: Annual Benchmark in U.S. Card Issuer Performance The Issuer’s Customer Lifetime Value Report: Annual Benchmark in U.S. Card Issuer Performance
    Best-In-Class Modern Card Issuer: Why Data Analytics Features Distinguish Best-In-Class Platforms Best-In-Class Modern Card Issuer: Why Data Analytics Features Distinguish Best-In-Class Platforms
    Best-in-Class Modern Card Issuer: Meeting the Mandate to Align Fraud Prevention With Compliance Demands Best-in-Class Modern Card Issuer: Meeting the Mandate to Align Fraud Prevention With Compliance Demands
    The Best-In-Class Modern Card Issuer: How Diversity and Data Separate the Leaders from the Rest The Best-In-Class Modern Card Issuer: How Diversity and Data Separate the Leaders from the Rest
    The Best-In-Class Modern Card Issuer: Driving Customer Lifetime Value Through Innovation The Best-In-Class Modern Card Issuer: Driving Customer Lifetime Value Through Innovation