With today’s consumers demanding ever-faster, more streamlined financial experiences, the ability to instantly issue payment credentials has never been more important. Javelin Strategy & Research’s 2025 Digital Issuance Provider Scorecard has just crowned a clear leader in this rapidly evolving space: Galileo Financial Technologies, whose digital-first issuing platform outshined seven other major providers in a comprehensive evaluation.

Galileo claims ‘Best in Class’ crown

Galileo secured the top position in Javelin’s evaluation by demonstrating exceptional capabilities across 25 criteria–surpassing industry heavyweights including Thales and FIS.

What made Galileo stand out? According to Javelin, the company’s digital-first solution showcases a flexible, secure, scalable and fully integrated platform that drives innovation across payments and financial services. In particular, Galileo dominated in the Features & Functionality category, which carried the heaviest weight–60 percent–in Javelin’s overall assessment.

Why digital issuance is mission-critical

According to Javelin’s report, digital issuance capability delivers four essential benefits that today’s payment providers can't afford to ignore:

1. Immediate Access: Digital issuance enables customers to receive payment credentials instantly, eliminating the traditional five-to-10 day wait for physical cards. This speed is crucial for both new accounts and replacement cards.

2. Top-of-Wallet Positioning: By reducing friction in delivering card credentials, institutions can secure preferred payment status and drive higher transaction volumes.

3. Enhanced Customer Experience: In an era where consumers expect instant gratification, the ability to provide immediate payment capabilities significantly improves satisfaction, loyalty and long-term engagement.

4. Cost Reduction: Digital issuance minimizes expenses associated with emergency card replacements and reduces customer service inquiries related to card delivery.

Keeping pace with digital wallet growth

The surge in digital wallet adoption makes instant issuance capability even more crucial. For payment providers, the ability to seamlessly provision cards to these wallets has become a critical competitive advantage.

What sets Galileo’s platform apart

According to the Javelin study, Galileo’s issuing platform excels in several of the key areas that matter most to payment providers:

• Versatile Wallet Support: The platform enables provisioning to all major mobile wallets, including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, meeting consumers where they already are.

• Advanced Security Frameworks: Galileo prioritizes security, with robust digital card management capabilities, allowing cardholders to self-manage their digital cards and set transaction controls.

• Flexible Integration Options: Through modern open APIs, Galileo enables fintechs, marketplaces, e-commerce platforms and financial institutions to easily implement digital card issuance in a variety of environments and use-cases.

• Comprehensive Implementation Support: Galileo ranked second in Client Support, offering multiple pricing options and implementation timeframes of just 1-3 months.

What payment providers should look for in a digital issuance partner

Javelin’s analysis offers clear guidance for banks, fintechs and other providers evaluating digital issuance solutions:

1. Prioritize Feature Breadth: Look for solutions supporting multiple card types, brands and digital wallets to future-proof your investment.

2. Value Flexible Technology: Cloud-based solutions with robust API support and mobile Software Development Kits enable faster implementation and easier integration with existing systems.

3. Consider Client Support: Implementation timelines, staff training and ongoing support significantly impact success. The best providers offer comprehensive assistance throughout the product lifecycle.

4. Evaluate Security Standards: Ensure providers offer PCI-compliant and EMV-certified solutions with support for tokenization to enhance security and reduce fraud risk.

5. Compare Pricing Models: The best providers offer multiple pricing options, including bundled services, per-card fees and customizable packages to match your needs and budget.

The digital issuance imperative

The findings from Javelin's scorecard reveal a clear shift in the industry. Digital payment issuance is no longer optional—it's essential for any provider competing for customer loyalty and wallet share. The question isn’t whether to implement digital issuance, but which partner to choose. 

Galileo’s top ranking offers compelling evidence for those seeking a proven leader. The company's digital-first approach, combined with its flexible, secure platform and strong support capabilities, positions it as the standard-bearer in this critical capability.

Ready to get your issuance capabilities up to speed?

The complete 2025 Digital Issuance Provider Scorecard delivers invaluable insights for any payment provider looking to enhance its issuance capabilities. Download the full report to discover:

• Detailed evaluations of eight leading providers

• In-depth category breakdowns across 25 essential criteria

• Strategic recommendations for selecting the right provider

• Consumer research on digital wallet preferences and usage patterns

• Implementation best practices and pitfalls to avoid

[Download the Complete 2025 Digital Issuance Provider Scorecard]

Don't fall behind in the digital payments revolution. Discover why Galileo leads the industry and how the right digital issuance solution can transform your customer experience, drive card usage and secure top-of-wallet status.