NBE Wins Two Global Élan Awards for Sustainable Payment Innovation
The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) has been recognized with two prestigious international awards at the ICMA Élan Awards for Excellence 2025, one of the world’s leading institutions celebrating innovation in the card manufacturing and payments industry. The achievement was announced following the official publication of results by the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) on its website.
NBE’s Visa Platinum card, manufactured using recycled PVC (rPVC), earned two major accolades: Environmentally Friendly Card and Best Regional Card. These awards highlight the bank’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge innovations in the payments sector, particularly in sustainable card design and the development of environmentally responsible solutions that reduce reliance on traditional plastic materials.
The rPVC card, produced by German technology provider Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), adheres to the highest global standards of security and quality. It represents a growing global shift towards eco-friendly financial products. The awards committee praised the card as a model of sustainable product innovation, noting that the Élan Awards annually recognize excellence in technical achievement, design quality, and sustainability across global banking institutions.
Winning the Best Regional Card award further underscores NBE’s leadership among regional financial institutions and its ability to consistently deliver competitive, world-class products supported by advanced global manufacturing and design technologies. The recognition also reflects the strength of NBE’s collaborations with international technology partners in the development of smart card solutions and modern payment technologies.
This milestone marks a significant addition to NBE’s ongoing efforts to advance its digital transformation strategy, expand its portfolio of electronic services, and deliver secure, fast, and innovative payment experiences. It also reinforces the National Bank of Egypt’s position as the country’s largest financial institution and a key driver of innovation and sustainability within the financial sector.