MA · News · 20261105N

Customer Dynamics

Mastercard Inc · 2026-11-05 · Importance 20 · Surprise 24

The Social Security Administration is moving administration of its Direct Express prepaid Mastercard program from Comerica Bank to Fifth Third Bank following a merger. Millions of beneficiaries who receive Social Security payments through the program are being issued new Fifth Third cards, with the transition begun in mid-2026 and expected to continue into early 2027. Beneficiaries are to continue using their Comerica cards until their replacements arrive; the report says benefit amounts will not be affected.

Key facts

• The administrator of the Direct Express prepaid Mastercard program is changing from Comerica Bank to Fifth Third Bank due to a merger. source
• Millions of beneficiaries using Direct Express prepaid Mastercard cards are to receive new cards from Fifth Third Bank; the process began in mid-2026 and is expected to continue into early 2027. source
• Mastercard participated as a strategic investor in Firmly’s $15 million Series A funding round. source