VIENNA, Va.—Navy FCU has introduced instant issuance for debit cards at each of its 259 branches worldwide.
While analysts have cited the growing need for instant issue to keep member service high as cyber-attacks increase and more cards need to be replaced, Navy explained it added the service to serve to the unique needs of its military field of membership.
Nearly 150 of the credit union's branches are located on or near military bases.
"Immediate card issuance makes a huge difference to active duty members who serve overseas or face emergency deployment," stated Molly Steele, manager, debit cards, in a release. "In addition, many recruits often need a debit card before entering boot camp, and families who move frequently can't risk a card being lost or delayed in the mail."
Following a successful pilot program domestically, the $62-billion Navy Federal began offering the free service to its military members overseas. The rollout concluded right before the New Year and has already resulted in the issuance almost 432,000 debit cards on the spot.
Navy Federal stated that over three million of their members are debit cardholders and a large percentage of them use debit as their primary payment vehicle.