UBS Launches Credit Card Made of Corn

Advertiser Disclosure Editorial Disclosure

Swiss banking giant, UBS, is launching a new credit card made of corn. The Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco is an international credit card that the bank claims is 80% biodegradable. Is the future of credit cards eco-friendly? UBS thinks so. Here’s why:

New Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco from UBS

UBS prides itself on working towards sustainability in all its products. Now, the Swiss bank is launching a credit card made from plastic substitute, PLA. PLA, or polylactic acid, is a plastic alternative made from fermented plant starch – typically corn.

The new Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco is a PLA-based credit card launched through its charity arm, the Optimus Foundation. The Eco is mostly made of PLA, meaning the card is 80% biodegradable.

UBS Donating Some Proceeds to Charity

UBS is also hoping the card can fund further eco-friendly developments in the future. The bank is donating 0.75% of annual credit card spending from the new card to the Optimus Foundation. UBS supports programs that improve children’s health, education, and protection in a long-term and lasting way through its charitable foundation.

A “Transition to a More Sustainable Society”

UBS is hailing the launch of its new eco-friendly corn-based credit card. The bank, the first Swiss bank to launch a sustainable credit card, issued a press release detailing the launch and its future goals:

"The transition to a more sustainable society is one of the greatest challenges of our time. UBS wants to be part of the solution and lead the way with innovative ideas. Our new cards, which are made without plastic, are contributing to this. What pleases me the most: our customers are helping to ensure the well-being of future generations every time they use the new Optimus Foundation Credit Card."
ubs logo
Karin Oertli
COO Personal, and Corporate Banking and Region Switzerland, UBS

The Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco is currently only available for applicants in Switzerland. However, the success of the program may have far-reaching impacts on the future of credit cards worldwide.

Related Article: Portland Startup Turns Credit Card Rewards to Stock

Featured photo by Matthew Henry / Burst

About: Cory
Cory Santos

Cory is BestCards.com's "Jack of all trades" and resident credit expert, covering all facets of the credit card space. Cory holds academic degrees in both the U.S. and U.K. In addition to credit cards, Cory finds that jogging, cats, and memes are essential parts of a balanced day.

Advertiser Disclosure

BestCards is an independent, Florida-based credit card comparison platform. Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which BestCards receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BestCards does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.