Zenus Bank has launched a Visa Infinite Debit Card for people in 46 countries.
The Visa Infinite card, which is usually offered as a credit card, provides Visa’s highest level of benefits and purchase protection, the companies said in a Wednesday (March 1) press release.
In this case, the card is being launched as a debit card by Zenus Bank, which is a digital bank that makes United States bank accounts available internationally, even to those who are not a U.S. citizen or resident, according to the release.
“This gives our clients access to a Visa Infinite Debit card with which they can make purchases in over 80 million merchant locations in 200 countries with total confidence, security and unique benefits,” Zenus Bank founder and Chairman Mushegh Tovmasyan said in the release.
With the extension of the partnership of Visa and Zenus Bank, Visa aims to enable new partners, add capabilities and accelerate digital inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the press release.
PYMNTS research has found that increasing digital adoption in Central America and the Caribbean is possible and probable, even in cash-centric regions.
Visa found that cardholders in the region increased their digital transactions by 55% during the 2021 holiday season compared to 2020.
Raising awareness of digital payments’ benefits and creating tools that ease adoption for both consumers and merchants is a necessity, according to “Digitizing Payments in Latin America,” a PYMNTS and Kushki collaboration.
Latin America’s market of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and professionals that offer digital services has grown rapidly.
This trend represents a massive opportunity for businesses that are eager to engage in the region’s thriving digital economy, according to “The Digital Businesses’ Guide to Latin America,” a PYMNTS and Payoneer collaboration.
The collaboration with Zenus Bank enables remote applications for a true U.S. bank account, the issuance of the Visa Infinite Debit card and delivery of a physical card within 10 days, the release said.
“In the long run, our partnership will allow us to expand our infrastructure for enabling digital payments in the Latin American and Caribbean region, by offering a banking-as-a-service platform to distribute payment credentials in an agile, convenient and secure way — via companies whose main business is not banking,” Visa Group Country Manager, Caribbean and Central America Jorge Lemus said in the release.