(20 April 2026 – France) France’s domestic card network Cartes Bancaires (CB) is stepping up efforts to regain market share and reduce reliance on international schemes such as Visa and Mastercard, amid growing concern in Europe over strategic dependence on US providers.
According to CB’s head Philippe Laulanie and reported in the FT, the network has begun to stabilise its position after years of decline, with its share of domestic payments falling from over 90 percent to around 75 percent. Interest is now rebounding, with a pipeline of new institutions exploring participation.
At the core of CB’s model is co-badging, allowing cards to operate across both domestic and international networks. The approach has gained renewed relevance as geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine have sharpened focus on payment sovereignty. Laulanie noted that recent US political developments have reinforced concerns that access to critical payment infrastructure could become conditional.
Established in the 1980s by major French banks as a shared-cost network, CB lost ground as global players attracted issuers with exclusivity agreements and fintech-friendly incentives. However, political backing is now strengthening its position, with President Emmanuel Macron endorsing co-badging as central to economic sovereignty.
Despite this momentum, challenges remain. Many European markets no longer have domestic schemes, and fintechs including Revolut and Qonto continue to favour single-network models for simplicity and scalability. Meanwhile, newer regional initiatives such as Wero are emerging to offer alternatives to US-led systems.
CB has also faced criticism for a slower transition to mobile payments, though recent upgrades have improved compatibility. As competition intensifies, the network is betting that lower fees for merchants and a renewed focus on sovereignty will help drive adoption among banks and businesses across France.