Union Bank of Nigeria has secured certification under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 4.0.1, reinforcing its efforts to protect customers’ payment card information and strengthen its defences against data breaches and financial fraud.
The certification, which took effect on August 11, 2026, represents compliance with the foremost global framework for securing payment card account data. PCI DSS establishes technical and operational requirements for organisations that store, process or transmit payment card information.
For Union Bank, the certification confirms that its systems and processes for handling customers’ credit and debit card information meet prescribed international security requirements. The development is expected to further strengthen customer confidence in the safety of the bank’s digital and card-based payment channels.
The assessment covered a wide range of the bank’s operations, including network infrastructure, card issuance, ATM and point-of-sale (POS) transaction acquiring, payment processing, reconciliation and settlement. It also examined chargeback management, dispute resolution and retail banking operations.
Union Bank was assessed and certified under the Service Provider category of PCI DSS, following a year-long compliance and assessment exercise.
The process involved quarterly assessments and the participation of departmental, business and functional heads across the bank. Union Bank undertook the exercise in partnership with security firm Digital Encode, while the final independent audit was conducted by CyberCube, an accredited Qualified Security Assessor.
Speaking on the certification, Union Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde B. Oni, said the protection of customer information remained a key priority for the institution.
“The security of our customers’ information is central to everything we do at Union Bank. This certification reaffirms that our payment systems and processes meet a rigorous global standard, and it reflects the discipline of colleagues across the Bank who work every day to keep customer data safe,” Oni said.
The latest certification also ensures that Union Bank maintains uninterrupted PCI DSS compliance, aligning with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s requirement for banks to sustain continuous compliance without a gap.
The achievement comes as financial institutions face increasing pressure to strengthen cybersecurity controls and protect sensitive customer information amid the growing use of electronic payments and digital banking services.
By maintaining compliance with the updated PCI DSS 4.0.1 framework, Union Bank is positioning its payment operations to meet evolving security expectations while reinforcing safeguards around customers’ card data.