Hang Seng Bank joins Alipay+ network

Customers can make QR payments at over 100 million merchants through one mobile app.

Hang Seng Bank has become the first bank in Hong Kong to join the Alipay+ network, allowing customers to make cross-border QR code payments through its mobile banking app at more than 100 million merchants across over 55 countries and regions.

The service is available through the bank's JustPay feature, enabling customers to make payments in the Chinese mainland, Europe, the United States, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, and other markets where Alipay+ is accepted.

According to Hang Seng, customers can pay by scanning a merchant's QR code or presenting their own payment code.

Payments are made directly from customers' Hong Kong dollar accounts, with the exchange rate displayed before confirmation and no transaction fees charged.

The bank said customers can also track and manage their spending within the Hang Seng Mobile App without downloading another app, topping up a prepaid wallet, or linking their bank account to a third-party digital wallet.

Rannie Lee, head of retail banking and wealth at Hang Seng Bank, said the partnership strengthens the bank's cross-border payment offering as customers increasingly look for simpler ways to pay whilst travelling.

"By partnering with Alipay+, we're enhancing customer experience by bringing a simple QR payment service within our mobile app, combining broad merchant acceptance with the simplicity of paying and tracking spending in just one place," Lee said.

Venetia Lee, general manager for Greater China at Ant International, said Hang Seng's addition to the Alipay+ network reflects the growing role of banking apps in cross-border payments.

She added that the partnership will give customers a simpler payment experience when travelling by allowing them to pay with their banking app in the same way they do in Hong Kong.

According to Ant International, Alipay+ connects 2 billion user accounts with more than 150 million merchants across over 220 markets through more than 50 digital wallets and banking apps, alongside national QR payment systems and card schemes.

Hang Seng also cited industry data showing that more than 90% of people aged 25 to 44 in Hong Kong used mobile payments in 2024.

Usage amongst those aged 65 and above increased from less than 2% in 2017 to more than 23% in 2024.

To mark the launch, the bank is offering eligible customers an instant discount of up to $14.72 (RMB100) on qualifying QR code payments of at least $5.89 (RMB40) made in the Chinese mainland through JustPay until 31 August.

($1 = RMB6.79)