Citi, Mastercard Launch Smart Subscriptions in UAE
Mastercard introduced Smart Subscriptions in March 2024 as a white-label tool that financial institutions can embed in their consumer banking services. The platform is designed to give cardholders clearer oversight of recurring payments, including the ability to identify merchants and manage subscriptions. The UAE’s digitally advanced market offers Citi a testing ground for a service aimed at improving transparency and customer engagement while addressing growing demand for subscription controls within banking apps.
Citi and Mastercard launched the complimentary service in the UAE on Sept. 17, 2026, marking Citi’s first deployment worldwide and Mastercard’s first rollout of the capability in the Middle East. Citi cardholders can manage subscriptions ranging from streaming platforms to meal-delivery services through the Citi Mobile App, with Mastercard-owned Ethoca providing itemized digital receipts from hundreds of participating merchants. Mastercard said issuers using Smart Subscriptions have recorded an average 10% increase in subscription spending. The companies did not disclose a financial value for the partnership.
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The history behind this eventCiti, Mastercard Launch Dynamic CVC Virtual Cards in Hong Kong
Virtual credit cards allow consumers to shop online without repeatedly exposing the credentials printed on a physical card. Citi Hong Kong and Mastercard are adding Dynamic CVC, which replaces a static card security code with a single-use credential for each online transaction. The feature is designed to reduce the value of stolen card data and strengthen protection as e-commerce and mobile payments become a larger part of everyday spending.
Citi Hong Kong recently introduced the Dynamic CVC-enabled virtual card service using Mastercard’s tokenization technology. Customers can access the virtual card through Citi’s mobile app for online purchases and mobile payments, while keeping their physical card details out of the transaction flow. The companies did not disclose a financial value for the initiative or provide a specific launch date in the information available.
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