Public Bank to Launch UnionPay Card in Malaysia

2016-07-26 19:08 7967

English

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Bank, Malaysia's third largest bank and UnionPay International, a global payment network signed an agreement for UnionPay Debit Card Issuing Business today. With this partnership, Public Bank will be the first local bank to issue UnionPay card in Malaysia.

(From left) Public Bank Bhd Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Chang Kat Kiam, Public Bank Bhd Managing Director Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Tay Ah Lek, UnionPay International’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Cai Jianbo and General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia Mr Yang Wenhui at the signing ceremony for UnionPay Debit Card Issuing Business agreement. With this partnership, Public Bank will be the first local bank to issue UnionPay card in Malaysia.

PB UnionPay Lifestyle Debit Card and PB UnionPay Savings Account will be launched to cater to the needs for customers and businessmen who frequently travel to China with the convenience of cards over carrying large amounts of cash.

UnionPay's acceptance across 160 countries and its full acceptance in China encourage Malaysian who travels often, expatriates and inbound students and workers from China to take up these bundled products.

In Malaysia, UnionPay cards issued locally and overseas are accepted at over 90% of ATMs whilst 60% of merchants accept payments by UnionPay cards.

The agreement was signed between Public Bank's Managing Director, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Tay Ah Lek and UnionPay International's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Cai Jianbo at Menara Public Bank with the presence of other management staff of Public Bank and officials of UnionPay International.

Commenting at the launch, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Tay said, "Being the first local bank in Malaysia to launch UnionPay card once again proves that Public Bank is focused in progressing and improving our core retail business to enhance our customers' banking experience. It is also a great pleasure in partnering with UnionPay International to offer our customers another new payment option."

Concurring on the significance of this partnership, Mr Cai Jianbo said, "Malaysia is one of the most important market for UnionPay, with 90% UnionPay card acceptance on ATM, and 60% at POS. This MOU signing with Public Bank Berhad will serve to provide a strong foundation as we continue to localise our business in Malaysia. UnionPay will enable more merchants and increase UnionPay POS acceptance to 90% by end of 2017. We will also issue more cards with local banks, provide more local privileges to improve services and convenience for Cardholders. For innovative payment, we will expedite the launch of e-wallet payments and build an 020 payment ecosystem."

About UnionPay International

UnionPay International (UPI) focuses on supporting the growth of UnionPay's global payments business. UnionPay's acceptance footprint has expanded to 160 countries and regions, covering more than 35 million merchants and over two million ATMs worldwide. With more than 5.4 billion UnionPay cards issued in over 40 countries and regions, UnionPay serves the world's largest cardholder base by providing quality, cost effective and secure payment services, and ensuring convenient local services to a growing number of merchants.

In ASEAN, UPI has enabled ATM, POS acceptance and card issuance across all 10 countries. For more information about UPI, visit www.unionpayintl.com, follow "UnionPay International" on Facebook, Sina Weibo or WeChat, or download its official mobile application by searching for "UnionPay International" on Apple's App Store or Google's Play Store.

About Public Bank Berhad

Founded in 1966 by Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow and listed on the Main Board of Bursa Securities Malaysia in 1967, Public Bank Berhad is today the leading financial services provider serving over five million customers in Malaysia. Known for its prudent management and strong corporate governance, Public Bank Berhad continues to be accorded international and domestic awards and accolades.

The Group continues to commit to deliver excellent customer service and to be more innovative in providing superior financial products and services to meet increasingly sophisticated customer demand. For more information, visit www.pbebank.com.

For more information, please contact:
Alvin Chia	Dato' Chang Kat Kiam
Manager	Deputy Chief Executive Officer
UnionPay International Southeast Asia	Public Bank Berhad
Tel: +65-6329-1116	Tel: +6-03-21639797
Email: chiayaoqing@unionpayintl.com	Email: changkk@publicbank.com.my