Bangkok Bank launches ‘China UnionPay’ credit card, widely accepted in China, Hong Kong, Macau and 31 countries worldwide

Bangkok Bank, in collaboration with China UnionPay (CUP), the largest credit card and debit card provider in China, has introduced ‘Bangkok Bank China UnionPay’ as Thailand’s first platinum credit card widely accepted in China, Hong Kong, Macau and 31 other countries worldwide. Thai cardholders will receive the same privileges as local Chinese.


Bangkok Bank Credit Card Division Manager Mr. Shoke Na Ranong said that working with China UnionPay or CUP, the largest credit card and debit card provider in China; to create ‘Bangkok Bank China UnionPay’ was another important step for Bangkok Bank’s credit card services. Bangkok Bank China UnionPay is Thailand’s first platinum credit card offering the same privileges as local Chinese receive.

‘This emphasizes Bangkok Bank’s success and leadership in continuous financial innovation, including credit cards using modern technology. In 2005, the bank replaced magnetic stripes with EMV-chip technology in its credit cards while developing compatible merchant credit card payment terminals. In 2008, we launched the Bangkok Bank Blue Wave credit card, a contactless credit card and launched EMV-chip technology in its debit cards in 2009. All becoming the first bank in Thailand to provide both EMV-chip technology and contactless technology in a credit card, giving customer’s security in their credit card spending. The Bangkok Bank China UnionPay credit card will launch on February 2010 coincides with Bangkok Bank’s recent receipt of a license from the Chinese government to operate Bangkok Bank China, a locally incorporated bank in China, which will open on December 28, 2009. We will be the first Thai bank, and one of fewer than 30 foreign banks, to achieve this milestone,’ said Mr. Shoke.

The card is widely accepted by 1,350,000 merchants in China, Hong Kong, Macau and 31 other countries worldwide. Every transaction has strong security protection as cardholders need to enter their PINs at the point of payment. Credit card reader machines requiring PINs have been widely installed by merchants across China.

China UnionPay Global Business Development Head – International Division Mr.Wang Li Xin said the company is the largest credit card and debit card provider in China, established in 2002 with a head office in Shanghai. The company focuses on creating and expanding services to the international market. China UnionPay services provide convenience, safety and reliability for businesspeople and travelers in all their shopping and spending around the world. China UnionPay is widely accepted by 1,970,000 merchants and 3,000,000 point-of-service locations, while 890,000 ATMs around the world are available for cash withdrawals. China UnionPay has 190 million credit cardholders and 1,900 million debit cardholders worldwide.

Bangkok Bank China UnionPay is perfect for travelers to China, including businesspeople and students, and especially for Thai-Chinese. The cardholder will receive platinum discounts and privileges from China UnionPay as well as a special warm welcome and the convenience of shopping at 1,350,000 merchants in China, Hong Kong, Macau and 31 other countries worldwide. In Thailand, cardholders are also eligible for discounts and privileges from participating merchants. Bangkok Bank China UnionPay will be ready to launch its full service in February 2010.

SK Telecom to Acquire Stake in Hana Card

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) announced today that its board decided to take over a 49% stake (or 57,647,058 shares) in Hana Card Co. for some KRW 400 billion. The deal will make SK Telecom the second largest shareholder of Hana Card after Hana Financial Group Inc with 51% stake. With the deal, the company expects to bring its services to a new level by adding ICT-based advanced services to its current mobile settlement business including T Cash, thereby securing an edge in tomorrow’s commerce market.


SK Telecom’s CEO Man-Won Jung said, “The partnership is aimed at introducing and expanding the use of mobile credit cards while promoting next-generation payment and settlement services. With this deal, the two companies will maximize business synergies so as to create a new telecommunications and finance convergence market.”

Mobile credit card is a next-generation smart card that allows customers to use their mobile phones as credit cards and receive real-time information provided by card companies such as event notices and discount offers simply after inserting credit card information into their mobile phones.

It allows users to check credit card settlement information including details of credit card usage, remaining credit card limit and reward points as well as other real-time information like bank accounts and membership. At the same time, it provides optimal decision-making information based on user’s past purchasing record and location information while offering an integrated service that includes discount coupons, ads, membership and mileage points during credit card purchases.

All the stakeholders are expected to benefit from the widespread use of mobile credit cards: Customers will be able to receive information and benefits including coupons on their mobile phones; credit card merchants will be able to boost sales and attract more customers by using information such as consumer purchasing patterns; and card companies will generate greater sales with increases in micropayment transactions and number of merchants, reduce time for plastic credit card issuance and save costs of plastic credit card production, delivery and replacement.

SK Telecom plans to introduce mobile credit card and smart payment service in the second half of next year and deliver greater customer benefits by linking them with SK Telecom’s membership programs and SK Group’s OK Cashbag service.

Meanwhile, SK Telecom said it will later determine and finalize the number of its staffs to be dispatched to Hana Card by taking into consideration the number of employees requested by Hana Card and the result of its internal staff selection process.

dtac and KASIKORNBANK launch the “Sabaijai+4” promotion for customers who apply for auto recurring payment service via dtac bill through K-Credit Card

Krisada Lamsam, Executive Vice President of KASIKORNBANK and Thana Thienachariya, Chief Commercial Officer of Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (dtac) jointly introduce the “Sabaijai+4” promotion which offers 4 privileges worth over 2,000 baht to dtac customers who apply for K-Credit Card as well as dtac’s automatic recurring payment service. The automatic recurring payment service will automatically deduct dtac mobile phone bill through K- Credit Card within March 31, 2010. The privileges include:

1. Cash back to credit card account worth up to 900 baht (150 baht per month for 6 months) to deduct dtac call charges;

2. Cash back to credit card account of up to 1,000 baht to deduct spending amount via the credit cards if the spending meets the set amount in the first 2 months;

3. dtac bonus worth up to 150 baht (50 baht per month for 3 months) to deduct the charges of phone calls, SMS and MMS within dtac’s network; and

4. 1,000 points of Smart Value Choice from K-Credit Card that can be used to exchange for gift vouchers, credit card refunds and special rewards.

For dtac customers currently holding K-Credit Card are able to enjoy the 3rd and the 4th privileges when they apply for automatic recurring payment service through K- Credit Card accounts. Interested dtac customers can apply for the promotion and the credit card by contacting K-Contact Center at 0 2888 8888 or they can also inquire further about the promotion by contacting by contacting 1678 dtac call center.