Co-Operative Bank to issue JCB Debit Card in Myanmar

2 min readUpdated Jun 4, 2025Dec 1, 201611:34 PM

In this article (5)

Co-Operative Bank (CB Bank), a major commercial bank in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar), Myanmar Payment Union Public Co.,Ltd (MPU), and JCB International Co. Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., today announced that CB Bank will start to issue JCB debit card in December 2016.

The CB MPU-JCB Co-Brand Card combines the MPU brand and JCB brand. Cardmembers can use MPU’s nation-wide merchant network in Myanmar and JCB’s international merchant network with over 31 million locations globally.

The Card offers 3 different card types, Platinum debit card, Gold debit card, Standard debit card. All the cardmembers can enjoy JCB privileges such as JCB Plaza, staffed service counters for JCB cardmembers located around the world. Also cash back and discounts at selected CB merchants will be offered to Platinum and Gold CB MPU-JCB Co-Brand Cardmembers. JCB offers Platinum cardmembers exclusive JCB Platinum services, such as JCB Platinum airport lounge service, JCB Platinum Concierge Desk, and Special JCB Platinum Hotel Services.

Kimihisa Imada, Deputy President of JCB International said, “I am delighted to have a partnership with CB Bank as the second JCB card issuer in Myanmar. JCBI entered into the market in 2012, and we have been committed to providing support to the expansion of the Myanmar payment market in cooperation with MPU. I am confident that the issuance of CB MPU/JCB Co-badged Card will grow the market even further and will contribute to the financial inclusion.”

U Kyaw Lynn, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of CB Bank commented, “On behalf of Co-operative bank, I am very pleased to announce that we are issuing CB-JCB debit card. This partnership between CB and JCB will strengthen ties between our business and our countries. Our customers here in Myanmar can enjoy all the benefits developed by CB and JCB when using in Myanmar and using in oversea countries.”

AdvertisementAdvertise with usMobile 320×100

What this means

CB Bank's partnership with JCB, following JCB's 2012 market entry, is a shrewd move to enhance customer loyalty and expand payment services in Myanmar. By offering co-branded debit cards with premium benefits and international access, CB Bank directly challenges rivals to upgrade their own offerings. This strategy mirrors the kind of targeted expansion seen with Tiffany & Co.'s first Southeast Asian Blue Box Cafe in Singapore, aiming to capture specific consumer segments through differentiated services. The move uses JCB's established global network and MPU's local reach, likely increasing card usage and cross-border transactions for CB Bank. The key is now watching the take-up rate of the Platinum debit card, especially its premium services like lounge access, to gauge market response.

Maria Santos

Questions & Answers

Which other bank in Myanmar currently issues JCB cards?

The article does not specify the name of the first JCB card issuer in Myanmar. It only mentions that CB Bank is the second issuer of JCB cards in the country.

What type of cards will CB Bank be issuing, and when will they become available?

CB Bank will be issuing Platinum, Gold, and Standard debit cards. These cards are scheduled to become available for use starting in December 2016.

What specific benefits will Platinum cardmembers receive that other card types will not?

Platinum cardmembers will receive exclusive JCB Platinum services. These include airport lounge access, a dedicated concierge desk, and special hotel services, which are not offered to Gold or Standard cardholders.

How many locations globally will accept the new CB MPU-JCB Co-Brand Card?

The new CB MPU-JCB Co-Brand Card will be accepted at MPU's nationwide merchant network within Myanmar. Internationally, cardmembers can use it at over 31 million locations that accept JCB.

Reader pulse

Is this a smart move for CB Bank?

16,395 votes so far