Kathmandu. NCHL has signed an agreement with Citizens Bank International Limited to enable payment of NepalPay Card through EFT Card Switch and services. The agreement was signed by the bank’s Chief Executive Officer Ganesh Raj Pokharel and Chief Executive Officer of NCHL Mr. Nilesh Man Singh Pradhan amid a program.
With this Citizens Bank has become the first EFT member bank to officially join the EFT Card Switch for acquiring and issuing of NepalPay Card.
NCHL’s EFT Switch is already integrated with National Card Switch and following the agreement Citizens Bank will now be able to issue and acquire NepalPay Cards for its customers. In the first phase, the bank will start issuing the same cards through its 168 ATMs and 491 POS Terminals.
NCHL has recently started the commercial rollout of NepalPay Card and in collaboration with the international network Discover the NepalPay Card can be used globally. With the launch of National Payment Switch, NepalPay cards issued by the banks and financial institutions, payment service providers and payment system operators can be used at ATMs and POS terminals in Nepal and abroad. International Discover Cards can also be used in Nepal.
Currently, 10 member BFIs are processing various international card schemes through NCHL’s EFT services. With the recent integration between EFT and National Payment Switch, the NepalPay Card can also be processed. Other EFT member banks and financial institutions are also preparing to acquire and issue NepalPay cards. So far, more than 34 banks and financial institutions have joined NepalPay and are in various stages of rollout.
One of the leading banks in Nepal, Citizens Bank International has been serving more than 18 lakh customers. In recent years, the bank has been focusing on digitalization and has been rapidly transforming its internal system and customer service. The bank has been providing its services from 197 branches, 3 extension counters, 74 branchless banking units and 162 ATM terminals across the country. The bank currently has more than 4 lakh cardholders.
