A leading payments industry news source for more than 17 years. Glenbrook curates the news and keeps you abreast of the important daily headlines in payments.

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January 17, 2024

On the web

October 27, 2023

On the wires

October 10, 2023

On the web

September 27, 2023

On the wires

UnionPay and Hungary's K&H Payment Services Sign Large-Scale Card Acceptance Cooperation Deal, Further Expanding European Network

PR Newswire

"UnionPay, in cooperation with Hungary's K&H Payment Services, held a signing ceremony to announce the successful launch of a large-scale UnionPay card acceptance deal on September 25, 2023, at K&H Group Headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, attended by China UnionPay Chairman, Shao Fujun and Mr. Otto Paulovics Managing Director of K&H Payment Services."

September 18, 2023

On the wires

July 10, 2023

On the wires

March 23, 2023

On the wires

UnionPay Joins Forces with Kai Shing to Provide Property Management Fee QR Code Payment Services for Over 100,000 Property Units in Hong Kong

PR Newswire

"UnionPay has announced the launch of an industry-first property management QR code scanning payment service in Hong Kong SAR in cooperation with Kai Shing Management Services Co., Ltd. ("Kai Shing"), a member of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, and local acquirer, Easylink Payment Network (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. ("Easylink"). Business owners of over 100 housing estates and more than 100,000 units managed by Kai Shing can now easily pay property management fees by scanning a UnionPay QR Code printed on management fee statement using the UnionPay App or other local bank Apps*, without having to repeatedly enter the electronic bill number and the payment amount each time. Meanwhile, the new service allows tenants to earn cash rebates and bonus points from UnionPay cards, saving human resources and other costs for property management companies."

December 12, 2022

On the wires

epay is First to Integrate UnionPay QR Code Payments in Europe

GlobeNewswire News Room

“UnionPay, one of the world’s largest card payment networks, and epay, the full-service payment provider owned by Euronet Worldwide Inc., have launched UnionPay’s innovative QR code payment service in Europe, the companies announced today. The agreement between UnionPay’s international business unit, UnionPay International (UPI), and epay, Europe’s leading full-service payments provider and a global leader in digital payments processing and prepaid solutions, represents the first time UnionPay’s QR code payments — also known as UnionPay App — can be settled in Europe for Chinese tourists and other UnionPay card users from all over the world.”

April 21, 2022

On the web

Explainer: China UnionPay, Russia’s Potential Payments Backstop

Reuters

“Several Russian banks plan to issue payment cards that use the network of China UnionPay as well as that of home-grown payment system Mir, after Visa Inc (V.N) and MasterCard Inc (MA.N) joined other Western firms in suspending operations in Russia. read more UnionPay and Mir are among few options left for Russians to make payments abroad since Russian banks were isolated from the global financial system following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”. read more

April 13, 2021

On the wires

Splitit Partners With UnionPay, the World’s Largest Card Network of 9 Billion Cardholders

“Splitit, a global payment technology company (ASX:SPT), announces a new global partnership with UnionPay International, part of China UnionPay, the provider of bank card services and a major card scheme in mainland China. UnionPay International will be integrating Splitit to make it available to its network. This will give UnionPay card holders and those accepting UnionPay the opportunity to utilize Splitit’s installment payments product.”

April 12, 2021

On the wires

UnionPay and Network International Support UAE Merchants With Smart Payment Solutions for Post-COVID Era

“UnionPay International (“UPI”), a leading global payment services provider, in cooperation with Network International, the leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, is accelerating the UAE rollout of its QR code scanning -based payment solution to support local merchants as the country prepares for continued economic recovery and a resurgence of inbound tourists.”

March 22, 2021

On the wires

UnionPay Acceptance Network Expands to 180 Countries and Regions

“UnionPay International (UPI) announced today that with significant progress in Latin America, UnionPay acceptance network has now extended to 180 countries and regions, over half of which accept UnionPay mobile payments. As many as 55 million merchants worldwide take UnionPay cards. According to a report released by RBR , UnionPay is among the most widely accepted card brands in the world. With its vast network, UPI is striving to serve more overseas residents, facilitate China’s exchange with other countries, and boost the internal and external circulations.”

June 17, 2020

On the wires

UnionPay International Drives Increase In ‘Contactless Payment’ For Consumer Safety During COVID-19

“As the struggle against COVID-19 continues, UnionPay International have unveiled a plan for increased consumer safety through accelerating the issuance of contactless payment enabled cards worldwide. Collaborating with many local banks around the world, UnionPay International have also made a considerable effort to increase availability and awareness of online checkout services in order to step up global adoption.”

October 29, 2019

On the wires

CITCON Releases UnionPay Pass, the First Complete Suite of UnionPay Products in the U.S.

CITCON , the integrated mobile payment and commerce leader, today announced the release of CITCON UnionPay Pass at Money 2020. CITCON UnionPay Pass is the first complete suite of UnionPay products available online and offline globally, serving the world’s largest cardholder base of more than about 8 billion cards issued worldwide, particularly from China, South Korea and the United States.”

September 23, 2019

On the wires

UnionPay Now Accepted by Over 28 Million Merchants Outside Mainland China, With Cash-back Rewards Program

“UnionPay International (“UPI”), the global leading payment provider, announced recently that the number of merchants outside mainland China accepting UnionPay services has surpassed 28 million, with an increase of two million in the first half of the year alone. Meanwhile, UPI has further expanded its existing cashback rewards program, with eight of China’s major commercial banks issuing UnionPay cashback rewards cards. All 28 million overseas merchants are covered in the cashback rewards, as well as other promotion programs offered by UPI.”

January 21, 2019

On the wires

UnionPay’s acceptance footprint extends to 174 countries and regions

prnewswire

“In order to meet the payment needs of Chinese outbound tourists, UnionPay International continues to improve its acceptance network outside mainland China. So far, the UnionPay acceptance footprint has extended to 174 countries and regions. In the second half of 2018, Serbia, Montenegro and Jamaica started accepting UnionPay cards. On the eve of the Spring Festival, merchants in the UK, Poland and Georgia began accepting the UnionPay mobile payment services, offering more payment options to Chinese tourists.”

November 19, 2018

On the wires

October 26, 2018

On the wires

October 8, 2018

On the wires

Merchants worldwide optimize UnionPay services during Golden Week to enhance Chinese tourists’ experience

“The China Tourism Academy estimates that there will be 7 million outbound tourists during the Chinese National Day Holiday this year, hitting a record high. This holiday has become a global Golden Week, which is attracting the attention of foreign media and merchants. The Forbes website recently reported that Chinese tourists’ preference for experience, consumption and accommodation will reshape the global tourism industry.”

September 20, 2018

On the web

September 11, 2018

On the wires

UnionPay International launches the “UnionPay” app in Hong Kong and Macau to enhance the local customers’ mobile payment experience

“UnionPay International announced today that in answer to the construction of the Greater Bay Area and to meet the increasingly payment needs brought by the exchanges between Hong Kong/Macau and the Chinese Mainland, the unified mobile payment app of China’s banking industry, “UnionPay”, has started offering service to customers in Hong Kong and Macau, facilitating the interconnection of mobile payment in the Greater Bay Area. From today, consumers in Hong Kong and Macau can bind their locally issued UnionPay cards to the “UnionPay” app and enjoy mobile payment service both in and outside Hong Kong and Macau.”

July 17, 2018

On the web

UnionPay Partners With La Banque Postale To Expand Card Acceptance

Cards International

“UnionPay International has partnered with French bank La Banque Postale to expand the acceptance of its cards across the country, with focus on tourist attractions and public transportation. Under the alliance, the partners intend to facilitate Chinese tourists to use UnionPay cards at 37,000 merchants and 7,600 ATMs of the bank within next year. The move enables 80% of ATMs across France to accept UnionPay cards, compared to the existing 70%. Currently, more than 200,000 local merchants accept the company’s cards.”

March 19, 2018

On the wires

UnionPay International Launches Mobile Payment Service Platform to Accelerate Rolling Out of its Mobile Payment Worldwide

“UnionPay International has recently launched UnionPay International Mobile Payment Service (hereinafter referred to as UMPS), which enables commercial banks, retailers, mobile phone manufacturers and third party institutions outside mainland China to get access to multiple UnionPay mobile payment solutions, including UnionPay mobile QuickPass and UnionPay QR code payment, via the open API of UMPS.”

March 15, 2018

On the wires

UnionPay International Launches Mobile Payment Service Platform to Accelerate Rolling Out of its Mobile Payment Worldwide

“UnionPay International is endeavoring to expand the acceptance scope of the “UnionPay” APP outside mainland China and is partnering with commercial banks and retail groups to carry out collaboration in e-wallet business. CEO of UnionPay International Cai Jianbo said, “The launch of UMPS will contribute to the global rollout of the UnionPay mobile payment products, offering UnionPay cardholders smooth mobile payment experiences both in and outside mainland China, and further facilitating the ‘going global’ of China’s mobile payment services, technologies and standards.””

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