Understanding the reasons behind ATM card expiration periods

ATM card expiration dates, which can range from 5 to 10 years depending on the bank, apply only to the physical card and not the underlying bank account. When a card expires, the bank can issue a new physical card, but the customer's account remains active and unaffected.

Different banks set varying validity periods: MSB offers 5 years for domestic cards, Vietcombank 7 years, VIB 8 years, and VPBank 10 years. These long durations are primarily due to the durability of plastic materials and integrated electronic chips.

Longer expiration windows help reduce costs related to production, shipping, and activation for banks, while sparing users the frequent need to replace cards. Additionally, the expiration date serves as a security mechanism, allowing systems to verify if a card is still valid for transactions.