Splitit and Mastercard Launch White-Label Installment Card for Mid-Sized Banks

Splitit is launching a white-label credit card in partnership with Mastercard, specifically targeting mid-sized banks and credit unions. By integrating installment functionality directly into a branded card product, the platform allows smaller financial institutions to compete with major BNPL providers while maintaining direct control over their customer relationships and lending portfolios.

What was announced

The Splitit World Mastercard is a new credit offering designed to bridge the gap between traditional revolving credit and modern installment plans. Expected to be available to financial institutions in early 2027, the product allows cardholders to manage their spending through a customizable threshold system. For instance, smaller daily purchases like coffee are paid in full within 30 days, while larger transactions—such as a laptop—can be automatically converted into monthly installments based on user-defined limits in the app.

The technology is delivered as a white-label solution, meaning banks and credit unions can issue the card under their own branding. Splitit provides the underlying installment technology and an AI-enabled mobile experience that can be embedded into existing banking applications. This structure allows institutions to offer flexible payment options without the need to build a proprietary lending infrastructure from the ground up. The card utilizes Mastercard’s global payments network and includes standard security features such as tokenization, Zero Liability Protection, and dispute resolution. Issuers and merchants participating in the program must adhere to network guidelines and responsible lending practices to ensure a consistent consumer experience across the platform.

"The Splitit World Mastercard is a new type of credit card built for banks and credit unions that resembles the simplicity of debit for consumers and pairs it with the flexibility of installments. Banks already have the relationship, the brand and the primary account. What many of them lack is a way to offer installment plans at the point of purchase without having to build a lending business from scratch. Our white-label card gives them that, under their own name."

Nandan Sheth, CEO of Splitit.

The companies involved

Splitit is a global installment payments platform that operates as a subsidiary of the private equity firm Motive Partners. The company has carved out a niche in the crowded buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector by focusing on white-label technology that empowers existing financial institutions rather than competing for direct consumer mindshare. This approach allows Splitit to scale through partnerships with established lenders who already possess significant customer bases and regulatory licenses.

Mastercard is a global leader in payment technology, facilitating transactions across a massive international network. As a cornerstone of the global financial infrastructure, Mastercard provides the network and security protocols necessary for products like the Splitit World Mastercard to function at scale. The company’s involvement brings immediate credibility and a massive acceptance network to the new offering. Mastercard’s role in this partnership reflects its broader strategy of enabling fintech innovation through its infrastructure, helping traditional financial institutions modernize their product suites to meet changing consumer demands for flexibility and transparency in credit.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has extensively covered Mastercard’s recent initiatives to modernize payment networks and address regional market needs. On October 12, 2026, we reported that Mastercard and GASA Reveal Philippines Scam Losses Hit ₱121.8 Billion in New 2026 Report, highlighting the network's focus on security. Simultaneously, the company has been active in product launches, including the Bede Bahrain Launches Multi-Currency World Prepaid Card with SINNAD and Mastercard and a collaboration with WEX and Mastercard Launch Asia-Pacific's First Unified Fleet Payments Network. Furthermore, Mastercard continues to invest in its infrastructure, as seen in the Mastercard Expands Dublin Tech Hub to Power Next-Gen European Payments.

What this means

This move signals a significant shift in the BNPL landscape, moving away from standalone apps toward integrated bank-led solutions. By offering a white-label product, Splitit is addressing a major pain point for mid-tier banks: the threat of losing top-of-wallet status to tech-heavy fintechs. The industry is seeing a consolidation of credit functions, where the distinction between a traditional credit card and an installment plan is blurring. This puts pressure on pure-play BNPL providers who lack the low cost of capital and deep customer relationships held by traditional banks. The success of this model will depend on whether mid-sized institutions can effectively market these features to a consumer base increasingly wary of complex debt structures.