Empowering cardholders and program administrators with Global Card Access

Today, we’re all asked to do more with less. For card program administrators (PAs), this could mean additional responsibilities that go beyond managing corporate spending and individual cardholders.

 

4 minute read

Key takeaways

  • Global Card Access (GCA) balances usability and security for businesses with a consumer-like experience for cardholders.
  • Encouraging cardholders to use GCA’s self-service resources can help them get the most from their cards, while saving time for program administrators.
  • Downloading and using the GCA Mobile App gives cardholders the convenience and control to manage their commercial cards whenever and wherever they want.

By providing cardholders with an intuitive self-service card management tool, PAs can spend more time supporting the high-priority strategic objectives of their CFOs. 

   56% of program administrators say their cardholders come

to them with questions every day or several times a day.2

Getting the most out of a card management tool

A successful corporate card management tool needs to balance usability and security, offering cardholders a seamless experience that streamlines processes and saves time. For program owners and administrators, this means leveraging the current functionality, ensuring users know how to access and use it, and understanding what features are coming next that will help make their businesses even more productive.

 

In terms of security, administrators must be furnished with a range of customizable tools that can limit the types of actions that individuals or groups of individuals can carry out. Managers should be able to control the categories of purchases allowed and set spending limits, among a host of other available variables.

The GCA Mobile App meets cardholder self-service needs

Cardholders have relied on Global Card Access (GCA) as a resource to monitor and manage their individual accounts. Bank of America introduced the GCA Mobile App in 2021, to provide a self-management tool to mirror the usability and experience cardholders had on the desktop. 

 

43% of GCA cardholders find the ability to view PINs

    and statements to be the two most valuable features.3

Drawing on client feedback, Bank of America continues to add to the app’s functionality and to develop an intuitive, user-friendly interface that simplifies processes through innovation.

 

The following widely used functions are now available on the GCA Mobile App, and other enhancements are well on their way:

 

• Viewing PINs

• Setting and configuring alerts

• Making a payment (North America only)

• Viewing card authorization and account activity

• Adding security through biometric sign-in and two-factor authentication

• Activating new cards

• Accessing and downloading statements, up to the last 18 months

 

Mobile phone with GCA Mobile App login screen with the following text: Make a payment For users who have downloaded the app, especially those accustomed to banking on their phones, the GCA Mobile App is the preferred self-service method for managing their corporate card accounts.

The GCA Mobile App was designed to save time with on-the-go features

Program administrators stand to benefit the most by investing a little time in the GCA Mobile App. Chief among the advantages is the time administrators will be given back when more and more cardholders conveniently use the app to manage their card accounts on the go.

 

This will help to maximize the global benefits of their corporate card program, too. The next phase in the mobile app’s development will be improved functionality for the PAs themselves. 

Program administrators hold the key to cardholder adoption

With a little encouragement from their administrators, cardholders will soon discover the obvious advantages of downloading the GCA Mobile App. It’s a relatively simple matter for PAs to promote an app that will streamline end-user workflow and increase employee satisfaction and productivity.

 

General usage of the GCA Mobile App will result in a win-win outcome, saving both program administrators and corporate cardholders precious time.

63% of program administrators say that enhanced  

PA functionality is the most important GCA feature.4

1 Source: Internal polling from Bank of America’s “Kickstart your year with Global Card Access Mobile” webinar, February 28, 2024.

2 Ibid.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

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