Record 181 entries underscore the innovation driving the global card manufacturing and personalization industry
ORLANDO, Fla.—April 22, 2026—The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), a global trade association dedicated to supporting the card manufacturing industry, recognized the winners of the 2026 Élan Awards of Excellence on April 21 during the ICMA EXPO in Orlando, Florida.
This year’s submissions reflected the continued innovation, technical sophistication and creativity driving the global card industry forward. Entries were evaluated by an independent panel of distinguished industry judges: ICMA board members Brian Summerhayes of Barnes International and Dori Rombola of Infineon Technologies, as well as ICMA member Joël Besnier of BG INGENIERIE.
“The 2026 Élan Awards reflect the extraordinary level of innovation and creativity taking place across our industry,” said Jeff Barnhart, executive director and founder of ICMA. “With 181 entries, the highest number ICMA has ever received, this year’s competition is a powerful testament to the continued evolution of physical cards and the talent, ingenuity and technical excellence of the companies behind them.”
Élan Awards of Excellence Winners & Finalists
Best Fulfilment Product, Service or Project
Winner: Placard Pty Ltd for the Emerge Personal Prepaid Debit MasterCard for Emerge
Finalists: Chutian Dragon Co., Ltd. for the Swift Rise Digital Currency Hardware Wallet for the Bank of China; Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Pet Them Theme Credit Card for China Minsheng Bank
Best Personalization Product, Service or Project
Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for XRP for ARCULUS HOLDINGS, LLC
Finalists: CPI Card Group for Street Charity for Street Charity; CPI Card Group for Zift Prepaid Card for InComm
Loyalty, Promotional and Gift Cards
Winner (tie): Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for The NFC Real Card for Digital Collection – Ancient Egyptian Mural Series for the Shanghai Museum; Hengbao Co., Ltd. for the Jin Hui Laojiao Customized Liquor Card for Jinhui Liquor Co., Ltd.
Finalist: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Starbucks Sicily Lemon Gift Card for Starbucks
ID Cards
Winner: Canadian Bank Note Co. Ltd. for the South Carolina U21 Identification Card for the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Finalists: Thomas Greg & Sons for the Dominican Republic Driver’s License for MIDAS DOMINICANA; IDEMIA Civil Identity for the Texas 2025 Driver License for the Texas Department of Public Safety
Access Control Cards
Winner: Goldpac Limited for the Custom-designed NFC Car Access Key for GAC Group
Finalists: Hengbao Co., Ltd. for the ICBC – Shanghai Branch CIIE 8th Anniversary Commemorative Visual Hardware Wallet for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Shanghai Municipal Branch; Hengbao Co., Ltd for the Bank of China 2025 CIFTIS Hardware Wallet for Bank of China Limited
Unique Innovation
Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for BILT for BILT
Finalists: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Car Owner Card for Industrial Bank; Goldpac Limited for the Bank of Communications Zhejian Tourism (Shaoxing) Theme Credit Card for the Bank of Communications
Best Secure Payment Card
Winner: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Ceramic Card for ICBC Asia
Finalists: CompoSecure, Inc. for MGM Rewards for MGM; Hengbao Co.,Ltd for Jilin Bank AuroraThemed DIY Card for Jilin Bank Co., Ltd.; CompoSecure, Inc. for HY10 for ORBITAL
Unique Innovation Prototype
Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for THE JADE CARD
Finalists: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Blossom Way Irregular-Shaped Chip Eco Card; FEITIAN Technologies US Inc. for the FEITIAN UniPass BioCard
Biometric Cards
Winner: IDEMIA Secure Transactions for the sAxess Card x Neiro for Serenity
Metal Cards
Winner: CompoSecure, Inc. for Citi Strata Elite for Citi
Finalists: CompoSecure, Inc. for MULTIPUNTOS for BANCO CUSCATLAN HONDURAS; Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for American Express ICON for Huaxia Bank
Eco-Focused Cards
Winner: Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Lucid waters and lush mountains Card for Postal Savings Bank of China
Finalists: Goldpac Limited for the China Construction Bank Dragon Card Family Preferred Card (Premium Edition) for China Construction Bank; Giesecke+Devrient for Bank Australia 100% Recycled for Bank Australia
Best Regional Cards – North America, Europe and Asia Pacific
Winner (North America): CompoSecure, Inc. for BILT for BILT
Winner (Europe): IDEMIA Secure Transactions for the sAxess Card x Neiro for Serenity
Winner (Asia Pacific): Giesecke+Devrient (China) Technologies Co., Ltd. for the Ceramic Card for ICBC Asia
People’s Choice Award
Winner: Hengbao Co., Ltd for the ZheshangBank “Zhefu” Card for Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd
Finalists: EastCompeace Technology Co. for the CIB Silk Road Themed Debit Card for Industrial Bank Co., Ltd; Chutian Dragon Co., Ltd for the Fine Trail Navigator Card – Concept card
“Each year, the Élan Awards remind us that innovation in card manufacturing is not standing still—it is advancing in exciting and meaningful ways,” said Barnhart. “We congratulate all of this year’s winners and entrants for helping raise the bar for excellence and for continuing to demonstrate the enduring value, creativity and technical sophistication of the physical card.”
To learn more about ICMA and how to enter the 2027 Élan Awards of Excellence, visit icma.com.
About ICMA
The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) is the global trade association serving the card manufacturing and personalization industry. Dedicated to advancing the global card industry, ICMA connects issuers, manufacturers, personalizers, suppliers and technology partners through professional development, networking, industry recognition and the exchange of best practices. Through leading programs and events such as the ICMA EXPO, CardTREX, ACE accreditation and the Élan Awards of Excellence, ICMA supports innovation and industry growth worldwide.