AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon launched Isis Wallet in 2010 as a convenient mode of mobile commerce. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS, formed in February 2014. The former wanted no association with the latter, not even by coincidence, so it made a name change.
Isis Wallet now will be called Softcard, the company announced on Sept. 3. Its services will remain the same, allowing consumers to store all their credit and debit cards, loyalty cards and coupons in one convenient, mobile location.
"However coincidental, we have no desire to share a name with this group and our hearts go out to those affected by this violence," Softcard CEO Michael Abbott said about the Islamic militant group terrorizing Iraq and Syria.
"Our search for a name has been rooted in our founding vision: to use the power of the mobile phone to help consumers find a safer and better way to shop, pay and save."
The company will launch an updated Softcard app for Isis Wallet customers in the next few weeks. Customers will see the name change after the update, but some "traces of Isis" will still exist for a short time due to the rapid pace of the change, according to Abbott.
Abbott made the announcement to change the name in July. They decided it was the "right decision" to rebrand, but admitted "changing a brand is never easy."
The Isis Wallet/Softcard app is free but smartphones must come equipped with an Enhanced SIM card. The iPhone requires consumers to purchase an "Isis Ready case." The case contains a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna that allows the iPhone to send payment at the store checkout.
