WhatsApp and Telegram +44 7563 115980
[email protected]
A US card issuing processor with credit, debit and prepaid cards, a self-serve sandbox and the fullest published programme management service in this edition, covering bank relationships, KYC, fraud and disputes.
Lithic scores 2.9 out of 5 (58 out of 100) in the Buckingham Intelligence Card Issuing Index 2026 and ranks 5 of 11. It is strongest for developers wanting a self-serve sandbox and full programme management, with 5 out of 5 for card range and programme support. Not published or not stated on the pages read: issuing countries, integration and regulatory standing.
Scores from the Card Issuing Index 2026.
| Segment | Score out of 100 | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| For fintechs and e-money firms | 60 | 4 of 11 |
| For expense and B2B payment platforms | 54 | 6 of 11 |
| For banks and lenders | 60 | 5 of 11 |
The score out of 5 is the overall score out of 100 divided by 20. Leader goes to the top three overall, Best for to the first in each segment, and Top rated for to a score of 5 out of 5 on a criterion. Awards cannot be bought.
Where it scores best, and where to check closely, as shown in each ranking.
Developers wanting a self-serve sandbox and full programme management.
What Lithic publishes on its own pages, read on 26 October 2026.
A US card issuing processor with credit, debit and prepaid cards, a self-serve sandbox and the fullest published programme management service in this edition, covering bank relationships, KYC, fraud and disputes. It does not publish prices, issuing countries or its sponsor banks.
| Fact | What the provider publishes |
|---|---|
| Card range | "Credit, debit, and prepaid cards for individuals and businesses"; virtual and physical cards with custom printing and instant issuance; digital wallet provisioning for Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. |
| Pricing | No pricing page. Launch post: "Create active cards for a few cents each, with no expensive monthly fees", with a share of interchange paid back. |
| Issuing countries | Not published on the pages read. |
| Integration | API, sandbox and self-serve sign-up at app.lithic.com/signup; no launch time published. |
| Regulatory standing | Homepage lists "SOC 1 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001" (PCI DSS level not stated); Trust Center says the programme "aligns with" these frameworks. Sponsor banks not named: "can be shared during engagement". "Lithic is a fintech company, not a bank." |
| Programme support | Program Management covers bank and network relationships, regulatory oversight, "AML, KYC/KYB, OFAC, and ongoing risk monitoring"; fraud and disputes as Program Services, with a stated "90% win rate" on eligible chargebacks. Named clients include Mercury, MoonPay and Novo. |
| Date read | 26 October 2026 |
A fact that is not published is scored as not offered or, for a fee, as if it were high. It is never estimated.
Facts read on 26 October 2026 from: lithic.com, lithic.com/blog/introducing-lithic, lithic.com/services/program-management, trust.lithic.com/resources.
Each score with the evidence behind it.
Each criterion is scored 0 to 5 against the best published offer in the Card Issuing Index. 0 means not offered or not published. How it is scored
The other providers in the same ranking, ordered by score.
| Provider | Score out of 5 | Rank | Strongest for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe Issuing | 4.3 | 1 of 11 | Platforms wanting published prices and self-serve launch |
| Marqeta | 3.1 | 2 of 11 | Large programmes needing high volumes across many countries |
| Nium | 3.0 | 3 of 11 | Travel and B2B platforms issuing in Asia Pacific, Europe and the US |
| Enfuce | 3.0 | 4 of 11 | UK and EEA programmes wanting issuing and BIN sponsorship from one firm |
| Paymentology | 2.8 | 6 of 11 | Banks and fintechs in emerging markets across many countries |
| Airwallex | 2.5 | 7 of 11 | Platforms wanting multi-currency cards across many countries |
| Thredd | 2.5 | 8 of 11 | Programmes with their own issuer needing wide country coverage |
| Galileo (SoFi Tech Solutions) | 2.4 | 9 of 11 | North and Latin American programmes wanting a stated launch time |
| Highnote | 2.3 | 10 of 11 | US firms wanting debit, credit, charge and prepaid on one platform |
| Adyen Issuing | 2.2 | 11 of 11 | Platforms already using Adyen for payments in Europe, the UK and US |
Side by side on every criterion, fact and award.
Tell us what you need and where you operate.