March 14, 2025 | 5 min read

Card program management: It’s a bit like making macarons!

Marqeta
Ever tried making macarons? Not macaroons (the coconut ones), but proper, delicate, and delightfully tasty French macarons. The kind that cost a small fortune at a high-end pâtisserie. On paper, they seem simple enough: almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and some food coloring. Nothing you can’t pick up at the local store. And yet, if you’ve ever attempted to make them yourself, you know the struggle is real! 
Too much humidity? They collapse. Didn’t fold the batter just right? No smooth tops. Baked a minute too long? Rock-hard shells. The process is unforgiving, and before you know it, you’ve wasted hours and ingredients, only to end up with a disaster. That’s why you gladly pay $5 for one from an expert pastry chef. They’ve mastered the process, so you don’t have to.
Now, imagine launching a card program. On the surface, it looks straightforward: a few key components like payment rails, compliance and risk, issuing, processing, and branding. Easy, right? But just like making macarons, the reality is far more complex.

The hidden challenges of card program management


Much like macarons, a card program requires precision. One small mistake—whether in regulatory compliance, fraud prevention, or partner selection—can derail the entire program. Here are just a few of the hidden complexities:
  • Regulatory Compliance: The payments industry is one of the most heavily regulated sectors. Navigating compliance across multiple jurisdictions isn’t just tricky—it’s critical to get right.
  • Technology & Integration: Just as perfecting macaron batter requires skill, integrating various payment technologies demands deep technical expertise.
  • Vendor & Partner Coordination: Card programs rely on multiple third parties—issuers, processors, networks, and banks. Without an expert managing these relationships, delays, miscommunications, and extra costs pile up.
  • Speed to Market: Trial and error in your kitchen is one thing, but in payments, every delay impacts revenue and customer experience. A smooth launch requires experience and foresight.

Why work with a trusted program manager?


Rather than spending years perfecting the nuances of card program management yourself, why not work with industry-leading professionals who have already refined it? A trusted program manager helps to ensure:
  • A more seamless, compliant, and scalable launch
  • Coordination of partners and banking relationships
  • Access to advanced fraud prevention and security measures
  • Speed and efficiency to help to get your program live faster
  • Ongoing support once live, to grow and scale across 40+ countries
At Marqeta, we’ve spent over a decade improving the art of card program management, supporting some of the biggest names in fintech. We can help you handle the complexity so you can focus on what matters: growing your business.
So, next time you’re enjoying a perfectly crafted macaron, remember that, sometimes, paying for a professional is one of the smartest investments you can make.
Learn more about card program management!
Marqeta
 

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