Himalayan Bank Launches First UnionPay RMB Card in Nepal

Kathmandu. Himalayan Bank Limited has launched the UnionPay RMB card for the first time in Nepal. The bank has started this new card service in collaboration with China's famous card brand UnionPay with the objective of making visits to China more convenient, safe, and accessible for its local customers. With the use of this card, customers and service recipients will be able to easily make payments in Chinese currency through ATMs, POS, QR codes, and e-commerce platforms in China during their visit to the northern neighboring country. The bank claims that since transactions are directly made in Chinese currency, this card will be very economical and universally acceptable compared to other cards and financial instruments available in the market. Students, businessmen, and tourists traveling for personal and institutional visits can load money up to the limit approved by the Foreign Exchange Department of Nepal Rastra Bank onto this UnionPay RMB card. The bank has stated that the amount loaded in this way can also be paid in Chinese currency through popular QR and other digital means such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Nihao China, which are connected to UnionPay's network. The service was formally launched during a special program organized at the Marriott Hotel in Naxal, Kathmandu. At the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Ashok Shumsher Rana on behalf of Himalayan Bank and Vice President Zhuang Bei on behalf of UnionPay International jointly launched the RMB card service for the first time in Nepal. The bank believes that this new service will provide great relief to Nepalis who have business and educational relations with China in conducting financial transactions.