JCB International, Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., and Nordic-based payment service provider Nets Group, today announce the wider enablement of JCB payment acceptance by Nets merchants in Finland.

This latest strategic expansion initially enables over 18,000 businesses across Finland to accept JCB payments through the Nets Merchant Services platform. This will provide JCB’s growing Russian and Japanese cardmember base with the opportunity to shop with ease and peace of mind whilst they visit the country.

JCB and Nets Merchant Services will continue, during 2020, to enable well known consumer brands in Finland to further increase JCB acceptance across the country.

This ongoing partnership strengthens JCB’s coverage across the Nordics, and further enhances the payment brand’s goal to expand its network of 33 million merchant partners and provide a unique and seamless shopping experience to its 136 million global cardmembers.

Mr. Tsuyoshi Notani, Managing Director, JCB International (Europe) Ltd., said: “The growth of JCB acceptance in Finland further aids our intent to expand even further afield by working with more partners in markets where our cardmembers demand it. This includes our growing base of cardmembers in Russia, so they can pay for goods and services.”

Petri Carpén, Head of Large Accounts at Nets in Finland said: "Finland is an important gateway for JCB’s Asian cardmembers visiting Europe. According to Visit Finland 2017 data, the number of trips made by Chinese visitors to the country rose 63 percent, with spend averaging 1,263 euros per person per trip, outspending visitors from all other countries. This initial phase of JCB acceptance will enable our merchants across Finland to tap into this increasingly important tourism channel.”