GLS Bank has become the first German bank to introduce Mastercard’s “True Name” feature, which allows transgender people and people with non-binary identities to have their chosen name printed on their GLS credit card. GLS Bank is trying to break down outdated patterns of thought that are rooted in rigid, binary notions of men and women.
“All our customers should have the opportunity to use the name on their payment card with which they identify themselves and with which they would like to be addressed. The new feature is a sign for more diversity, for an increased awareness of the different needs of our vivid society and a call to recognise these needs in institutions.”
Easy process, big impact
It does not matter if there is an official name change or not. GLS Bank customers can now simply apply for the change with the help of a so-called “supplementary identity card” from an association called “dgti e.V.”
A trans or non-binary identity often goes hand in hand with a name change, often without an official name change. The dead name, i.e. the old name, often becomes a burden when it still appears on the identity card or cash and credit card, as the name does not correspond to the true identity. GLS Bank has been bold in bringing a solution to prevent this type of discrimination.
