MINSK, 28 June (BelTA) – BPS-Sberbank plans to start issuing cards of the China UnionPay payment system by the end of 2017, BelTA learned from the press service of the bank.
“BPS-Bank is undergoing certification in the UnionPay International payment system as envisaged in the memorandum between BPS-Bank and UnionPay International. During the meeting in Minsk the parties expressed the intention to implement the first joint projects by the end of 2017,” the press service said.
The certification will make BPS-Sberbank the first Belarusian bank to get a general license to issue UnionPay International cards (Classic, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) and service them via ATMs and payment devices of the Bank. Holders of the UnionPay International cards issued by banks of other countries can perform the necessary operations using BPS-Sberbank's payment terminals.
“The development of trade and economic relations between Belarus and China opens up opportunities for the arrival of new banking services of our Chinese partners. The meeting was a strategically important step towards comprehensive cooperation with UnionPay International. No doubt, this new service will give additional advantages to our clients focusing on the Asian region,” said Sergei Inyushin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BPS-Sberbank.
UnionPay International is focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. UnionPay cards are accepted in more than 160 countries and regions covering more than 41 million POS terminals and 2 million ATMs. More than 6 billion UnionPay cards have been issued in more than 40 countries and regions.
BPS-Bank traces its history back to 1923. The joint-stock commercial Belpromstroybank was established in 1991. In 1999 it was converted into the open joint stock company Belpromstroybank. In 2009, the Belarusian government and Russia's Sberbank announced the signing of an agreement on Sberbank buying 93.27% shares of BPS-Bank and the conclusion of an investment agreement on the long-term development of the Belarusian bank. In October 2011 the Bank was renamed into BPS-Sberbank.
