*** ----> Russian banks to switch to China's UnionPay as Visa, Mastercard cut links | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Russian banks to switch to China's UnionPay as Visa, Mastercard cut links

Agencies | Moscow

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Several Russian banks said on Sunday they would soon start issuing cards using the Chinese UnionPay card operator's system coupled with Russia's own Mir network after Visa and MasterCard said they were suspending operations in Russia.

Announcements regarding the switch to UnionPay came on Sunday from Sberbank (SBER.MM), Russia's biggest lender, as well as Alfa Bank and Tinkoff.