UnionPay

{{short description|Chinese financial services company}}

{{Redirect|Quick Pass|the toll transponder system in North Carolina, also called Quick Pass|North Carolina Turnpike Authority#NC Quick Pass}}

{{about|the Chinese financial services company|the mobile application developed by China UnionPay|UnionPay (application)}}

{{use British English|date=November 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}

{{Infobox company

| name = UnionPay

| native_name = {{lang|zh|银联}} (Yínlián)

| logo = UnionPay logo.svg

| logo_size = 200px

| type = State-owned

| image = UnionPay Building 02.jpg

| image_size = 300px

| image_caption = UnionPay Headquarters (Shanghai)

| traded_as =

| foundation = {{start date and age|2002}}

| dissolved =

| location = Pudong, Shanghai, China

| key_people = Shi Wenchao (president)

| area_served = Worldwide

| industry = Financial services

| products = Payment systems
Credit cards

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| assets =

| equity =

| num_employees = 559 (UnionPay International)

| website = {{URL|https://www.unionpayintl.com/en/|unionpayintl.com}}

}}

File:Countries where the UnionPay payment system operates.svg

UnionPay ({{zh|s=银联|p=Yínlián}}), also known as China UnionPay ({{zh|s=中国银联|p=Zhōngguó Yínlián}}) or by its abbreviation, CUP or UPI internationally, is a Chinese state-owned financial services corporation headquartered in Shanghai, China. It provides bank card services and a major card scheme in mainland China. Founded on 26 March 2002, China UnionPay is an association for China's banking card industry, operating under the approval of the People's Bank of China (PBOC, central bank of China).{{Cite web|url=http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/aboutUs/companyProfile/introductiontoUPI/|title=Introduction - UnionPay International|website=www.unionpayintl.com|access-date=19 April 2018}} It is also an electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) network, and the only interbank network in China that links all the automatic teller machine (ATMs) of all banks throughout the country. UnionPay cards can be used in 181 countries and regions around the world.{{Cite web|url=http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/aboutUs/companyProfile/introductiontoUPI/|title=Introduction_UnionPay International|website=www.unionpayintl.com}}

In 2015, the UnionPay overtook Visa and Mastercard in total value of payments made by customers and became the largest card payment processing organization (debit and credit cards combined) in the world surpassing the two. However, only 0.5% of this payment volume was outside of China.{{cite news|date=22 July 2016|title=UnionPay takes top spot from Visa in $22 trillion global cards market – RBR|work=Finextra|publisher=Finextra Research Limited|location=London|url=https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/65412/unionpay-takes-top-spot-from-visa-in-22-trillion-global-cards-market---rbr}}

UnionPay offers mobile and online payments services.{{cite news|title=UnionPay takes top spot from Visa in $22 trillion global cards market - RBR|url=https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/65412/unionpay-takes-top-spot-from-visa-in-22-trillion-global-cards-market---rbr|work=Finextra Research|date=22 July 2016|language=en}}{{cite news|title=UnionPay offers secure and convenient payment service for Chinese students studying abroad|work=www.unionpayintl.com|url=http://www.unionpayintl.com/wap/en/mediaCenter/newsCenter/companyNews/3013891.shtml}}

History

File:UnionPay used in Chiba 20160212.jpg, Japan]]

With the approval of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), China UnionPay was launched on 26 March 2002, in Shanghai by PBOC governor Dai Xianglong, The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Agricultural Bank of China, the Bank of China and the China Construction Bank served as its first members.{{cite news| url=http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english/130721/2830453/index.html| title=Remarks by Mr. Dai Xianglong, Governor of the PBC at the Opening Ceremony of China Unionpay| publisher=People's Bank of China| date=26 March 2002| author=Dai Xianglong| access-date=27 September 2009

}} However, the concept of a unified Chinese bank card network dates back to 1993, with the formation of the "Golden Card Project" advocated by then-Chinese leader Jiang Zemin. UnionPay is considered its descendant, although attempts at unifying China's various credit card and interbank networks have been in place since the 1990s.{{cite news|url=http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english//detail.asp?col=6400&ID=77 |title=Strong Measures to be Taken to Achieve the Target of Connecting Bank-Card Networks This Year |publisher=People's Bank of China |date=27 March 2002|access-date=27 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606051506/http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english/detail.asp?col=6400&ID=77 |archive-date=6 June 2008 }}

In 2014, UnionPay was reported to have been contributing to capital flight from China through poorly regulated store front operations in Macau.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-unionpay-special-report-idUSBREA2B00820140312 |title=Special Report: How China's official bank card is used to smuggle money |last1=Pomfret |first1=James |date=11 March 2014 |website=www.reuters.com |publisher=Thomson Reuters |access-date=11 March 2014}} The same year, the total amount of cross-bank transactions of CUP card exceeded 41.1 trillion yuan.{{Cite web |last=Yip |first=Amy |title=Will China UnionPay Expand From a Domestic Monopoly to a Global Player? |url=https://www.centennialcollege.hku.hk/f/upload/2134/UnionPay_15_001C.pdf |access-date=13 November 2018 |website=centennialcollege.hku.hk |pages=5}} As part of Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, central government officials met with local officials in Macau and reached an agreement in December 2014 that allows the central economic crimes bureau to have real-time access to all transactions in Macau involving UnionPay cards.{{Cite book |last=Simpson |first=Tim |title=Betting on Macau: Casino Capitalism and China's Consumer Revolution |date=2023 |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |isbn=978-1-5179-0031-1 |series=Globalization and Community series |location=Minneapolis}}{{Rp|page=207}}

=Partnerships=

{{further|Card reciprocal agreements}}

In 2005, UnionPay entered into agreements with other payment networks to increase acceptance around the world. Some major examples include:

  • Discover in United States{{Cite web|url=https://investorrelations.discover.com/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-details/2005/China-Unionpay-And-Discover-Financial-Services-Launch-Partnership-Opening-DiscoverS-PULSE-Network-To-Chinese-Travelers/default.aspx|title=Discover Financial Services - China Unionpay And Discover Financial Services Launch Partnership Opening Discover'S PULSE® Network To Chinese Travelers}}
  • RuPay in India {{cite news |last=Finberg |first=Ron |title=RBI Approves Prospective Integration of China UnionPay within India's RuPay

|url=https://www.financemagnates.com/fintech/payments/rbi-approves-prospective-integration-of-china-unionpay-within-indias-rupay/ |work=financemagnates |location=china |access-date=August 22, 2024 |date=March 2022}}

  • JCB in Japan{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
  • BC Card in South Korea{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
  • Mir in Russia{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
  • Troy in Turkiye{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

== Use outside of China: Europe ==

UnionPay announced in 2016 that more than 2.2 million merchants in 39 European countries and regions accept UnionPay, taking up 50% of all the merchants supporting bankcard payment.{{cite web |title=2.2 Million Merchants in Europe Accept UnionPay |url=https://www.unionpayintl.com/en/mediaCenter/newsCenter/companyNews/1673.shtml |website=www.unionpayintl.com |publisher=Unionpay Intl |access-date=26 September 2022}}{{cite web |title=The largest hotels group in Europe accepts UnionPay |url=https://www.unionpayintl.com/en/mediaCenter/newsCenter/companyNews/2023.shtml |website=www.unionpayintl.com |publisher=Unionpay Intl |access-date=26 September 2022}}

Merchants from all sectors can integrate UnionPay and accept payments from their clients online or in-store. UnionPay is accepted at major department stores, airlines, duty-free stores and fashion stores, hotels, restaurants, historical and cultural sites, and entertainment establishments, such as bookstores and gift stores of le Louvre museum, Versailles, Orsay, Picasso, and Strasbourg Citrus Orchard.

UnionPay is also accepted at business schools and Universities in order to allow Asian students to pay large sums of money for their tuition fees.{{cite web |title=About 4,000 Educational Institutions Outside Mainland China Accept UnionPay Cards for Tuition Payment |url=https://www.asiaone.com/business/about-4000-educational-institutions-outside-mainland-china-accept-unionpay-cards-tuition |website=www.asiaone.com |date=5 July 2018 |publisher=Asia One |access-date=26 September 2022}}

Merchants from certain sectors considered "High risk" or prohibited by the government cannot open a UnionPay account.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

=== Process for merchants accepting UnionPay in Europe ===

Accepting UnionPay in Europe requires a third-party banking service.{{cite web |title=How to accept UnionPay in Europe? |url=https://www.silkpay.eu/blog/2020/10/20/t4clt6eyyapxg5j7dz0ig3rdydxdv9 |website=Silkpay |access-date=26 September 2022}} UnionPay tries to significantly multiply its partnerships to expand UnionPay's acceptance scope in Europe.

A European merchant can open a UnionPay account and start accepting payments through payment gateways which is licensed in the country of the merchant. Licensed payment gateways in Eurozone countries are:{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

== Use outside of China: rest of the world ==

Some UnionPay credit cards are also affiliated with American Express (AmEx), MasterCard, or Visa, and they can be used abroad as American Express, MasterCard, or Visa credit cards. UnionPay debit cards, however, can only be used in the UnionPay network and other networks that have signed contracts with UnionPay. Since 2006, China UnionPay cards can be used in over 100 countries outside China.{{cite news |date=2 February 2006 |title=China UnionPay extends coverage globally |publisher=Xinhua news agency |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/04/content_4133801.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=27 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007170904/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/04/content_4133801.htm |archive-date=7 October 2007}}

In May 2005, Discover Network announced an alliance with China UnionPay Network. The two companies have signed a long-term agreement that allows acceptance of Discover Network brand cards at UnionPay ATMs and point-of-sale terminals in China and acceptance of China UnionPay cards on the PULSE network in the U.S.{{cite news |date=6 December 2005 |title=China UnionPay accepted in U.S. on Discover/Pulse networks |publisher=People's Bank of China |url=http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english//detail.asp?col=6400&ID=617&keyword=discover |url-status=dead |access-date=27 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316163534/http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english//detail.asp?col=6400&ID=617&keyword=discover |archive-date=16 March 2007}} As of 1 November 2007, China UnionPay cards may be accepted where Discover Network Cards are accepted in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.{{cite news |title=Big Database of Credit Offers: Cards Accepted in the United States |publisher=wistex |url=http://creditcards.wistex.info/articles_more.asp?search_fd0=6 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207102319/http://creditcards.wistex.info/articles_more.asp?search_fd0=6 |archive-date=7 February 2009}} As of early 2013, the cross acceptance agreement was expanded to support e-commerce or card-not-present transactions.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}} In March 2010, PayPal announced a partnership with China UnionPay enabling the use of PayPal with UnionPay member cards.{{Cite web |date=23 March 2010 |title=PayPal and China UnionPay Open the Global Marketplace to Chinese Consumers |url=https://www.paypal.com/stories/ca/paypal-and-china-unionpay-open-the-global-marketplace-to-chinese-consumers |access-date=13 November 2018 |website=paypal.com}} In 2015, China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) placed a ¥100,000 annual cap on overseas cash withdrawals from Chinese banks-issued UnionPay accounts.{{Cite news |title=China's SAFE slaps 100,000 yuan annual cap on overseas UnionPay cash withdrawals |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1862276/chinas-safe-slaps-cap-overseas-unionpay-cash-withdrawal |access-date=19 April 2018}} In November 2017, Azoya teamed up with UnionPay to enable consumers in China to profit from the Black Friday online shopping festival via a cross-border marketing platform.{{Cite news |last=Zaczkiewicz |first=Arthur |date=22 November 2017 |title=Azoya Teams With UnionPay to Help International Retailers Leverage Black Friday Sales |language=en-US |work=WWD |url=http://wwd.com/business-news/retail/azoya-unionpay-deal-11055490/ |access-date=23 November 2017}}

= 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine =

On 6 March 2022, Sberbank, Alfa Bank and Tinkoff Bank reported several Russian banks would switch to UnionPay after Visa and Mastercard said they would suspend operations in Russia due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Russian banks mull China UnionPay; big accounting firms exit |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russian-banks-china-unionpay-cards-sanctions-83294215 |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=ABC News |language=en}} The Russian banks intend to tie the UnionPay system with Russia's Mir network.{{Cite news |last= |date=2022-03-06 |title=Russian banks rush to switch to Chinese card system |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russian-banks-rush-switch-chinese-card-system-2022-03-06/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307190420/https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russian-banks-rush-switch-chinese-card-system-2022-03-06/ |url-status=dead}}

On 20 April 2022, UnionPay reportedly discontinued cooperation with major Russian banks including Sberbank. Russian media outlet RBC stated that they did so out of fear of secondary sanctions.{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Crystal |title=Why Chinese bankcard chips may not ease Putin's economic pain |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/4/21/chinese-bankcard-chips-may-not-ease-russias-economic-pain |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

In August 2022, it was reported that Russian visitors to Finland were circumventing banking restrictions by withdrawing Euros from Finnish cash machines using UnionPay cards.{{cite news |title=Itärajan pankkiautomaatit tyhjenevät nyt ennätysvauhtia – venäläisturistit löysivät keinon nostaa euroja Suomessa pakotteista huolimatta |trans-title=Eastern Finland cash machines emptying at record speed - Russian tourists found a way to withdraw Euros despite sanctions |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12595643 |access-date=26 August 2022 |publisher=Yle |date=26 August 2022 |language=fi}}

Members

{{See also|List of banks|List of largest banks}}

UnionPay is the primary network of these Chinese banks:{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Other UnionPay-affiliated organisations include municipal commercial banks as well as rural credit cooperatives.

Overall, there are 165 financial institutions that issue UnionPay cards.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

UnionPay had partnered with JETCO in Hong Kong and Macau until 1 January 2006. As of January 2013, Bank of East Asia and Citibank were the only banks allowed to independently issue UnionPay credit cards in Hong Kong and the mainland. HSBC and its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank independently issue UnionPay credit cards in Hong Kong,{{when|date=June 2021}} while they issue cards in the mainland in cooperation with local banks as noted above. Deutsche Bank only has co-issued cards, with no independently issued UnionPay credit cards.

The following eleven foreign banks have the right to issue UnionPay debit cards in China:

UnionPay in other countries:

  • AGD Bank offers a UnionPay debit card in Myanmar{{Cite web |url=https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/agd-bank-mpu-launch-first-co-branded-unionpay-debit-card-myanmar |title=AGD Bank, MPU Launch First Co-branded UnionPay Debit Card in Myanmar |last=Myat |first=Aye |date=24 January 2016 |website=mmbiztoday.com |access-date=13 November 2018 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114060230/https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/agd-bank-mpu-launch-first-co-branded-unionpay-debit-card-myanmar |url-status=dead }}
  • Askari Bank offers a UnionPay debit card in Pakistan{{Cite web

|url=https://askaribank.com/navigate-to/UnionPay-Debit-Card

|title=Askari Bank, Askari Bank proudly introduces Pakistan's first EMV & NFC enabled UnionPay Debit Card

|website=askaribank.com |access-date=19 August 2020}}

  • Australia Post, previously distributed the "Load&Go China" card, issued by Bank of China (Australia) Limited; featuring imagery of the Great Wall{{Cite web |url=https://auspost.com.au/money-insurance/organise-travel-money/loadgo-china-card#tab1 |title=Load&Go China card - Australia Post |website=auspost.com.au |access-date=10 June 2019}}
  • Baiduri Bank offers a UnionPay debit card in Brunei{{Cite web |url=https://www.baiduri.com.bn/rb_dc_unionpay.htm |title=Baiduri UnionPay Debit Card |website=baiduri.com |access-date=13 November 2018}}
  • Bangkok Bank offers a UnionPay credit card in Thailand{{Cite web |url=https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Cards/Credit-Cards/Bangkok-Bank-UnionPay-Credit-Card |title=Bangkok Bank UnionPay Credit Card |website=bangkokbank.com |access-date=13 November 2018}}
  • Bank Central Asia offers a UnionPay credit card in Indonesia
  • Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao (BCEL) offers both UnionPay debit and Credit card in Laos{{Cite web |url=https://www.bcel.com.la/bcel/product-review.html?prd=cards&id=unionpay&lang=en |title=BCEL UnionPay Cards |website=bcel.com.la |access-date=13 November 2018}}
  • Bank Sinarmas offers a UnionPay debit card in Indonesia{{Cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/08/19/sinarmas-unionpay-teaming.html |title=Sinarmas, UnionPay teaming up |website=thejakartapost.com |access-date=13 November 2018}}
  • BDO Unibank offers a UnionPay credit card in the Philippines{{Cite web |url=https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/diamond-unionpay |title=BDO Diamond UnionPay |website=bdo.com |access-date=13 November 2018}}
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings offers 24K UnionPay Debit Card in the Philippines.{{cite web | url=https://www.unionpayintl.com/ph/CebuanaLhuillier24KUnionPayDebitcard/ | title=银联国际-云闪付App专题页 }}{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=Manila |date=2021-01-08 |title=Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, UnionPay launch debit card for financially underserved |url=https://manilastandard.net/tech/tech-news/343926/cebuana-lhuillier-rural-bank-unionpay-launch-debit-card-for-financially-underserved.html |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Manila Standard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=BMPlus |date=2021-01-06 |title=Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank and UnionPay International launch first debit card for financially underserved - BusinessMirror |website=BusinessMirror |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/01/06/cebuana-lhuillier-rural-bank-and-unionpay-international-launch-first-debit-card-for-financially-underserved/,%20https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/01/06/cebuana-lhuillier-rural-bank-and-unionpay-international-launch-first-debit-card-for-financially-underserved/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |language=en-US}}
  • CIM Bank, a Swiss Bank, offers UnionPay credit cards to domestic and foreign customers{{Cite web |url=https://www.cimbanque.com/en/private-banking/credit-cards-prepaid-cards/union-pay|title=UnionPay CIM worldwide cards|access-date=27 October 2021}}
  • DBS Bank offers a UnionPay debit card in Singapore.{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/business/dbs-unionpay-launch-debit-card-to-help-visitors-to-china|title=DBS, UnionPay launch debit card to help visitors to China|publisher=The Straits Times|date=17 May 2016|access-date=22 August 2016}}
  • Halyk Bank offers both UnionPay credit and debit cards in Kazakhstan{{Cite web |url=http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/ |title=UnionPay International Homepage-Global Union Pay Card |website=unionpayintl.com/en |access-date=13 November 2018}}
  • Gazprombank offers both UnionPay credit & debit cards in Russia.
  • Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) offers both UnionPay credit and debit cards in Vietnam
  • Kasikornbank offers a UnionPay credit card in Thailand
  • Kazkommertsbank offers UnionPay credit cards in Kazakhstan
  • Krung Thai Bank offers a UnionPay debit card in Thailand
  • Lotte Card offers a UnionPay credit card in the Republic of Korea.
  • Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS offers a UnionPay credit card in Japan.
  • {{Ill|Muğanbank|az}} offers a UnionPay credit card in Azerbaijan.
  • SCT Networks offers a UnionPay Debit card in Nepal.
  • Himalayan Bank offers a UnionPay Prepaid cards in Nepal.
  • Nepal Investment Bank Limited offers a UnionPay cards in Nepal.
  • NIC ASIA Bank offers a UnionPay virtual cards in Nepal.
  • AmBank offers a UnionPay Credit card in Malaysia.
  • Public Bank offers a UnionPay Debit card in Malaysia.
  • Philippine National Bank (PNB) offers a UnionPay credit card in the Philippines.
  • Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) offers a UnionPay credit card in the Philippines.{{Cite web |last=BrandRoom |first=INQUIRER net |date=2021-10-12 |title=Innovative and secure payment solutions for a cashless Philippines |url=https://business.inquirer.net/331758/innovative-and-secure-payment-solutions-for-a-cashless-philippines |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}
  • Sacombank offers both UnionPay credit and debit cards in Vietnam
  • Mitsui Sumitomo Bank offers a UnionPay credit card in Japan.
  • Shinhan Bank offers a UnionPay credit card in the Republic of Korea.
  • Silkpay offers a UnionPay credit card in the European Union.{{cite web |title=Silkpay.eu |url=https://www.silkpay.eu |website=Silkpay.eu}}
  • United Overseas Bank offers a UnionPay credit card in Singapore.
  • Diners Club offers 2 UnionPay credit cards in Singapore, the DCS Ultimate Platinum Card and the DCS Lite Card.
  • Russian Standard Bank offers both UnionPay credit & debit cards in Russia.
  • National Bank of Pakistan offers UnionPay debit cards in Pakistan.
  • 1LINK offers UnionPay debit cards through its member banks in Pakistan.{{Cite web |url=https://1link.net.pk/pay-pak/ |title=1Link - PayPak |website=1link.net.pk |access-date=2019-07-23 |archive-date=23 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723211858/https://1link.net.pk/pay-pak/ |url-status=dead }}
  • Credicorp Bank offers UnionPay prepaid cards in Panama.{{Cite web |title=Tarjeta Union Pay |url=http://www.credicorpbank.com/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=www.credicorpbank.com |language=es-ES}}
  • Yianpay offers a UnionPay card in Spain{{Cite web |url=https://www.yianpay.es/ |title=Yi An |website=yianpay.es |access-date=2023-02-09}}
  • Banco Bolivariano offers UnionPay credit cards in Ecuador{{Cite web |url=https://www.bolivariano.com/personas/bankard/bankard-union-pay |title=Bankard UnionPay |website=Banco Bolivariano |access-date=2024-12-14}}

See also

References

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