OCBC is preparing to let its Singapore customers make mobile payments in mainland China by scanning WeChat Pay QR codes directly through the bank’s app.

The development was first reported by The Edge and follows an agreement OCBC concluded with UnionPay International at the end of November.

Rather than relying on separate payment apps, travellers will be able to settle purchases in China with funds drawn straight from their OCBC Singapore accounts once the feature goes live.

OCBC expects to introduce the capability in the first quarter of 2026 and is integrating it through NETS’ cross-border payment infrastructure, which supports merchant acceptance on the Weixin Pay network.

The bank said that China accounts for the largest share of overseas QR payments made by its Singapore customers.

Users commonly rely on OCBC’s Scan and Pay function for everyday spending such as food, attractions and retail shopping during their trips.

Usage has been rising, with transaction volume increasing 11 percent over the past year and active user numbers growing by 67 percent.

OCBC already allows customers to scan QR codes from Alipay Plus and UnionPay merchants.

The bank also supports wallet-to-wallet remittances to China through existing links with Weixin Pay and Alipay Plus, and its QR payment coverage spans 48 markets.

Sunny Quek, who heads OCBC’s global consumer financial services division, said the intention is to make payments in China as seamless as possible for travellers given the prominence of QR codes there.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by OCBC