How UCB is shaping consumer behaviour through credit cards
From airport lounges to digital security, UCB explains how credit cards are redefining financial convenience and building a culture of aspirational yet responsible living
Credit cards are no longer just about paying bills—they are becoming lifestyle enablers. In Bangladesh, we are witnessing customers using cards to access travel perks, digital subscriptions, and lifestyle privileges such as airport lounge access, dining, and entertainment. This is changing consumer behaviour in a very positive way. People are learning to plan their finances better, build credit histories, and enjoy experiences they once thought were out of reach. Over the next few years, I expect credit cards to become less of a luxury and more of a gateway to aspirational, yet responsible, living.
That being said, penetration is still modest. While we have around 1.6 million debit card users in the country, only about 100,000 are using credit cards. Many people remain cautious, often due to misconceptions about overspending or risk. At UCB, our strategy is to expand responsibly by focusing on customers with stable repayment capacity, leveraging advanced credit assessment tools, and, most importantly, promoting financial literacy. We want people to see credit cards not as a burden, but as a tool for convenience, security, and lifestyle benefits. Responsible growth, backed by awareness and education, is what will make the industry sustainable.
Regulatory support, simplified processes, and fintech collaboration are key to accelerating adoption, UCB stresses
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Naturally, with the rise of digital and e-commerce transactions, security becomes a top concern. At UCB, we've invested heavily in real-time fraud detection, tokenization, and AI-based monitoring systems. These systems are always running in the background, ensuring robust protection without adding friction to the customer experience. But technology alone isn't enough. We also make it a point to continuously educate our customers on safe usage practices, because awareness is just as critical as the infrastructure we put in place.
In a market where cashback and rewards programs have become standard, we aim to go beyond transactional benefits by focusing on lifestyle value. Our premium cardholders enjoy complimentary access to UCB's Imperial Airport Lounges across several cities, along with global lounge access through Priority Pass. We also design exclusive dining, shopping, and travel offers that make everyday life more rewarding. What truly differentiates us is personalization—we analyse spending patterns and create campaigns that feel tailor-made for our customers.
Policy and regulation also play a decisive role in adoption. A supportive regulatory environment would accelerate growth significantly. For instance, tax incentives for digital payments, simplified KYC processes, and interoperable infrastructure could go a long way in driving adoption. Transparent and fair frameworks around interest rates and fees would further strengthen trust. Above all, closer collaboration between regulators, banks, and fintechs would unlock innovations to help us move closer to a cash-lite economy—with credit cards at the centre of that transition.
Globally, we are seeing the rise of "buy now, pay later" models and digital wallets. Personally, I view these as complementary rather than competitive to credit cards. BNPL works well for retail purchases, while wallets are ideal for micro-transactions. Credit cards, however, continue to offer a broader value proposition—global acceptance, lifestyle privileges, structured credit, and financial discipline. At UCB, we already provide EMI and fast loan facilities, and we are exploring ways to integrate our cards with wallets and BNPL ecosystems. The objective is to give customers maximum flexibility while ensuring the trust, security, and global reach that credit cards provide.
Growth in this space must be cautious and responsible, and that is the path we follow. With strong assessment processes, robust support systems, and a customer-first approach—our call centre is always available for guidance—we believe credit cards will continue to evolve as powerful tools for both financial empowerment and lifestyle enhancement in Bangladesh.
