By Peace Udugba
Union Bank of Nigeria has attained certification under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 4.0.1, a globally recognised framework for protecting payment card account data.
The certification, which took effect on August 11, 2026, confirms that the bank’s systems and processes meet stringent security requirements for the storage, processing and transmission of customers’ payment card information.
PCI DSS certification is designed to help organisations protect cardholder data and reduce the risk of payment card breaches and financial fraud. The achievement also reinforces customer confidence in the bank’s payment infrastructure.
The assessment covered key areas of Union Bank’s operations, including network infrastructure, card issuance, ATM and POS transaction acquiring, payment processing, reconciliation, settlement, chargebacks, dispute resolution and retail banking.
Union Bank was assessed and certified in the Service Provider category.
The certification followed a year-long compliance exercise involving quarterly assessments and collaboration among departmental, business and functional heads across the bank, with support from cybersecurity firm Digital Encode.
The final independent audit was conducted by CyberCube, an accredited Qualified Security Assessor.
Commenting on the achievement, Union Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde B. Oni, said the security of customers’ information remains central to the bank’s operations.
“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 renewal also ensures that Union Bank maintains continuous PCI DSS certification, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s requirement that banks sustain compliance without interruption.
