信用卡外币交易结算调整 人民币直接入账时代来临

Core Insights - The central theme of the news is the significant changes in credit card foreign currency transaction settlement methods by major banks in China, specifically Ping An Bank and China Merchants Bank, aimed at enhancing payment experiences and addressing the challenges in the shrinking credit card market [1][2][5]. Group 1: Credit Card Market Trends - As of the second quarter of 2025, the total number of credit cards and combined lending cards in use in China is 715 million, reflecting a decrease of 6 million cards from the previous quarter, marking the 11th consecutive quarter of decline [1][5]. - Over the past three years, the total number of credit cards has decreased by more than 92 million, indicating a significant contraction in the market [5]. - Major banks have reported declines in credit card transaction volumes, with Citic Bank down 12.54%, Industrial Bank down 11.27%, and China Merchants Bank down 8.54% in the first half of 2025 [5]. Group 2: Changes in Transaction Settlement - China Merchants Bank announced that starting October 28, 2025, certain Mastercard credit card cross-border transactions will switch from USD to RMB, simplifying the transaction process [1][2]. - Ping An Bank also implemented a similar change on September 25, 2025, allowing customers to choose RMB or USD for foreign currency transactions, which reduces the transaction conversion steps from two to one [2]. - This adjustment is seen as a response to the competitive landscape, where banks are seeking new growth points and differentiating their services amid declining credit card usage [5][6]. Group 3: Strategic Implications for Card Organizations - The changes in currency settlement are part of Mastercard's broader localization strategy in China, aiming to enhance its competitive position against UnionPay, which has a more favorable cross-border transaction model [3][6]. - The shift to RMB settlement is expected to reduce currency conversion fees and improve the payment experience for consumers, although the actual economic impact on consumers may be limited [2][6]. - The collaboration between banks and card organizations reflects a systemic adjustment in the industry, with a focus on retaining high-value customers and attracting new users through improved service offerings [6].