Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has announced a strategic partnership with UnionPay International (UPI) to enhance cross-border payment connectivity for its customers. This collaboration allows HLB customers to make payments at more than 120 million merchants in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Thailand, using HLB’s QR Pay feature on the HLB Connect app.
The partnership leverages UPI’s integrated network with Weixin Pay, enabling HLB customers to transact effortlessly whilst shopping or dining abroad. This initiative complements HLB’s existing multicurrency features, allowing users to lock in favourable exchange rates without the need for third-party apps.
Kevin Lam, HLB’s Group Managing Director and CEO, emphasised the importance of trust in cross-border transactions, stating, “Our customers take us beyond Malaysia through the businesses they build, the family ties they maintain, and the opportunities they pursue. We want them to have the same confidence paying overseas as they do at home.”
Carlson Li, Vice President of UPI, highlighted the benefits of interoperability, noting that HLB customers can now access a wider merchant network directly from their banking app, making cross-border payments more convenient.
Andrew Jong, HLB’s Managing Director of Personal Financial Services, added that digital innovation has transformed international transactions, offering greater convenience and flexibility. The partnership with UPI is a significant milestone in expanding HLB’s cross-border payment capabilities.
HLB plans to continue building international collaborations to support its customers’ growing needs and ambitions across markets.
