Pubali Bank PLC, the largest private commercial bank in Bangladesh, entered into a strategic partnership with global payments solution provider BPC to modernise its card management infrastructure. The agreement will see the bank migrate its legacy systems to BPC’s next-generation SmartVista platform, a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital payments and strengthening financial inclusion across the country.
The partnership marks a significant step in Pubali Bank’s digital transformation journey. With a vast network comprising over 500 branches, 244 sub-branches, and 32 Islamic banking windows, the bank operates the country’s largest real-time online banking network. By adopting SmartVista, Pubali Bank intends to leverage scalable, flexible technology to deliver superior value to its customers while aligning with national goals for socioeconomic growth.
Modernising legacy infrastructure
The migration from a legacy card platform to a modular, future-proof system is designed to enhance the bank’s operational resilience and agility. The new platform will enable Pubali Bank to launch innovative products faster, strengthen fraud controls, and improve the overall reliability of its services.
Ashim Kumar Roy, head of card operations at Pubali Bank PLC, commented on the strategic importance of the deal: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand digital transactions and our mission to deliver services of superior value to our customers. With BPC’s SmartVista, cardholders will enjoy modern, innovative card programmes and secure payment experiences across channels. The platform gives us the scalability to grow, the agility to launch products faster, and the compliance we need to serve Bangladesh with confidence.”
A comprehensive payments ecosystem
The rollout of the SmartVista platform will cover a broad spectrum of payment functions. This includes the issuance of debit, credit, Islamic, virtual, and prepaid cards, ensuring that the bank can cater to the diverse needs of its customer base.
Security remains a top priority, with the integration of real-time, AI-powered fraud management and 3D Secure ACS to enhance authentication for card-not-present transactions. Furthermore, the platform will support enhanced merchant payment acceptance for major international schemes including Visa, Mastercard, and China UnionPay, as well as the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB). The system is also set to facilitate nationwide QR code payments, a critical component in the push for a cashless economy.
Beyond immediate operational improvements, the adoption of SmartVista is expected to open new avenues for collaboration within the wider financial ecosystem. The platform’s use of open APIs will allow Pubali Bank to integrate more easily with third-party partners, expanding the footprint of its ATM, card, and QR acceptance networks.
BPC was selected for the project due to its proven global expertise and specific experience within the Bangladeshi market, including its readiness for localisation and full compliance with national regulatory requirements.
Ruwan Bakmedeniya, regional director, South Asia at BPC, said: “Pubali Bank’s modernisation marks an important milestone for Bangladesh’s payments landscape. SmartVista brings a future-proven foundation that helps institutions innovate while protecting every interaction. We are honoured to partner with Pubali Bank and will continue supporting its strategy with technology that enables growth, resilience and exceptional digital experiences for customers.”
By modernising its core payments infrastructure, Pubali Bank is positioning itself to lead the next wave of digital transaction growth in Bangladesh, ensuring it remains competitive in an increasingly digital-first financial landscape.