Financial news

Payments giant Visa and Standard Chartered Bank have entered into a regional partnership to accelerate the delivery of instalment payment options to Standard Chartered’s Visa credit cardholders across markets in Asia Pacific using the Visa Instalment Solution.

With Visa Instalment Solution, Standard Chartered’s credit cardholders will have the flexibility of choosing ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ (BNPL) options in Asia Pacific, enabling them to split purchase repayments at the point of purchase at participating in-store or eCommerce merchants.

With this partnership, Standard Chartered Visa credit cardholders can begin using this facility in Malaysia, and in Singapore next year. Standard Chartered also revealed plans to expand into additional markets further down the line.

Visa’s Instalment Solution is a network solution which seamlessly enables existing credit lines to be converted into BNPL options at checkouts, giving cardholders myriad ways to pay for their purchases more conveniently. The increased flexibility and convenience to cardholders could in turn influence consumers’ decision to purchase, thus potentially increasing transactions at point of purchase.

Serene Gay, group country manager for Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand at Visa, said: “BNPL is an established, yet growing trend in Asia Pacific. As a world leader in digital payments, Visa is delivering a seamless instalment network solution to address the growing demand of consumers for this financing option at point of purchase.

“Additionally, we see that banks recognise the value of incorporating Visa Instalment Solution as a value-added service to their cardholders to enhance their purchasing decisions and shopping experience. We are delighted to be working with Standard Chartered to empower Visa credit cardholders across the region with repayment flexibility, so that they can decide how to pay for their purchases in-stores and online.”

Giving customers more control over payments

As a short-term financing instrument, BNPL repayments are typically interest-free, enabling consumers to pay for their purchases over time (up to 36 months) in regular instalments.

Manoj Piplani, global head of personal banking, credit cards and personal loans at Standard Chartered, also commented: “We are committed to delivering easy banking solutions with great client experience.

“With this strategic partnership, Standard Chartered customers in the region can split their payments in instalments on various Visa Instalment Solution-enabled online and in-store merchants to meet their lifestyle needs. This simple, convenient and secure approach will elevate the retail experience and give customers the control on how they want payments to be made.”

According to Visa research on BNPL adoption in its Asia Pacific Green Shoots Radar Regional Report, there is increasing awareness of BNPL platforms in the entire region.

Millennials are using BNPL the most, followed by Gen X and Gen Z. Much of this use has been mostly driven by affordable monthly payment amounts, as well as the promise of no or low-interest fees.