Wink Pay launches in Lebanon in partnership with Codebase Technologies & Visa International

By Delisha Fernandes

Wink Pay, a newly-launched digital payments brand in Lebanon, has collaborated with Visa and Codebase Technologies to introduce a fully digital onboarding and instant card issuance proposition for Visa prepaid virtual cards.

This service provides over 5 million Lebanese citizens with the ability to securely and transparently manage their payments for local and international purchases without needing a bank account. Codebase Technologies’ modular, cloud-native, and API-first digital banking and FinTech platform, Digibanc, serves as the technology stack for Wink Pay.

Randa Bdeir, Founder Wink Pay, stated, “In light of Lebanon’s current economic situation, where severe restrictions have been imposed by banks leading to a significant increase in the number of unbanked individuals to 55% of the population (as per the World Bank), we recognize the need of Lebanese citizens to instantly acquire a Visa prepaid virtual card to execute their purchases locally and abroad, without limitations. Through Wink Pay, we can simplify and digitize customer onboarding, as well as facilitate online payments.”

The digital payments brand, through its mobile application, provides citizens with a digital solution to access financial services by instantly issuing a virtual prepaid Visa card and offering a seamless, paperless, and secure payment experience. Coupled with a mobile-first approach, Wink Pay aims to increase financial inclusion in Lebanon by providing access to digital payments for underserved communities and those in rural areas.

“At Visa, we are excited to partner with Codebase Technologies to launch innovative and disruptive products, and we are proud of this collaborative effort to bring Wink Pay to the market,” said Mario Makary, Vice President – Levant at Visa. Instant issuance virtual cards will revolutionize the way consumers pay by providing an efficient, secure, and convenient payment solution. With these virtual cards, customers can instantly create and access digital payments, significantly improving the customer experience.”

Leveraging the Digibanc platform from Codebase Technologies allowed Wink Pay to orchestrate a unique user experience with rich functionality and seamless integrations. The digital payments brand features the country’s first fully digital onboarding with eKYC verification and instant virtual card issuance to address customers’ needs for a trusted digital experience in Lebanon.

Tamer Al Mauge, Codebase Technologies’ Managing Director – MENA, stated, “The Wink Pay app can be summed up in three words: easy, quick, and impactful. From the branding to the interactive elements, everything has been designed by our award-winning UI/UX team with the young generation in mind and without any unnecessary distractions. Using our feature-based modules and API first architecture we were able to help Wink Pay orchestrate a unique product and service experience that reflects customer needs.”