Making our cards easier for everyone to use
We've developed new accessible cards so they're easier for more people to use.
We worked with UK Finance, RNIB, the British Dyslexia Association and other accessibility experts to improve our cards. Together, we created the Accessible Cards Code of Practice. This is a set of standards that helps make payment cards easier to identify, read and use.
The Code is designed to help people accessibility needs use their cards with confidence. Mastercard, Visa and IDEMIA also helped develop the standards.
The Code supports our commitment to the government's Financial Inclusion Strategy, which aims to make banking more accessible for everyone.
Learn about the Financial Inclusion Strategy (opens in new window).
What our new accessible cards look like
Our cards will still have a dot and notch. The new cards have a different notch shape to help identify the card type by touch - adopting the Mastercard Touch CardTM specification.
Accessibility features include:
- Colour contrast to help visually impaired people identify their cards.
- Text will be non-reflective and on a matte part of the card.
- Increased font size for words and numbers that appear on the card.
- A new minimum font size specifications for words and numbers.
- Font type will be Sans Serif or similar and no italics.
- A Braille Issuer Identifier in the bottom lefthand corner, with the letters N B S.
Debit cards
Our new accessible debit cards have all the new accessibility features and have a:
- round notch shape
- dark blue colour with a coloured band at the bottom
- coloured label at the top for account type or name.
The coloured band and label is different for each account type.
Credit cards
Our new accessible credit cards have all the new accessibility features and have a:
- square notch shape
- beige colour with a red band at the bottom
- black ‘Credit Card’ label at the top.
Savings cards
Our new accessible savings cards have all the new accessibility features and have a:
- triangular notch shape
- dark blue colour with a pink band at the bottom
- pink ‘Savings’ label at the top.
When will the new accessible cards be available?
We’re gradually replacing our existing card stock, so these new cards will become available over the coming months, including for children’s current accounts. Accessible FlexStudent cards have been available since July 2026.
You need to continue using your existing Dot and Notch card until it expires.
How to get a new Dot and Notch card
You can request one of our new cards any time. Your card doesn’t need to have expired. Just visit your local branch or call us on 03457 30 20 11 (we’re available Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm).
If you’re already getting our emails and letters in an accessible format like large print, audio or braille, we’ll contact you about our new cards and how to order one soon.
We’ll also be sending all our current account and credit card customers a Dot and Notch card if you lose your card, it’s stolen or it expires.