OREANDA-NEWS. By 31 March 2015, the National Payment Card System (NPCS) has launched the operation and clearing centre to process Russian domestic transactions with international payment system cards. The transition to the NPCS is implemented for the users' benefit and will ensure implementation of international payment system card operations irrespective of external factors.

The NPCS and MasterCard have completed the process of connecting banks with the NPCS operation and clearing centre until 31 March 2015, as stipulated by law.

The processing of Russian domestic MasterCard card transactions has been transferred to the NPCS stepwise from February 2015.

Starting 1 April 2015, the NPCS will process Russian domestic operations with MasterCard cards issued by all the banks envisaged by the plan. Sberbank of Russia will complete the transfer of MasterCard card transactions to NPCS processing in the first half of April.

VISA is actively cooperating with the NPCS and banks to transfer Russian domestic VISA card transactions in the next months.

Card holders will not experience any changes due to the transfer of transactions to NPCS processing.