Virtual Credit Card
Merchant payments in interest-free credit
Platform
Mobile App
Deliverables
UI & UX
Overview
I explored how a fully digital, virtual credit card could improve how people access and use credit in Nepal. Traditional cards still rely on in-person applications, paperwork, and limited acceptance at POS terminals. My goal was to design a mobile-first credit experience that anyone could apply for, activate, and use instantly from their banking app.
In this concept, users can scan and pay at millions of QR-enabled merchants, enjoy interest-free credit for 45 days, and track spending directly within the app. The focus was on convenience, transparency, and giving users full control over their credit journey.
The Challenge
The current credit card landscape in Nepal presents several challenges: :
- Long onboarding process: Long onboarding process:** Users must visit bank branches, complete paperwork, and wait days or weeks for approval.
- Limited usability: Physical cards worked only where POS machines were available, restricting usability.
- Low visibility: Most systems don’t offer clear, real-time spending insights or repayment guidance.
I wanted to rethink this entire journey and design a digital-first solution that improves access, increases transparency, and brings everything into the user’s mobile banking app.
The Solution
This virtual credit card concept was designed as a digital-only product that removes physical and procedural barriers.
- Instant Access: Users can apply and receive their virtual card within seconds.
- Scan & Pay Everywhere: Payments can be made using QR codes at a wide network of merchants across Nepal.
- 45-Day Interest-Free Period: A repayment window that gives users breathing room.
- Smart Spending Controls: Real-time visibility of all transactions and available credit.
- Flexible Payments: Pay in full or choose a minimum payment.
- End-to-End Digital: No paperwork. No in-person visits. No waiting.
The concept aims to simplify the credit journey for users and show how banks could adopt a mobile-native approach to financial products.
Design Process
Research and Understanding
I started by mapping user frustrations with today’s credit systems. People often mentioned long approval times, limited acceptance, and difficulty understanding bills. I also looked at how users already interact with digital wallets and banking apps. The takeaway was simple: credit needs to feel as easy as paying with a phone.
Ideation & Wireframing
I started by mapping user frustrations with today’s credit systems. People often mentioned long approval times, limited acceptance, and difficulty understanding bills. I also looked at how users already interact with digital wallets and banking apps. The takeaway was simple: credit needs to feel as easy as paying with a phone.
High-Fidelity Design
Once the flows made sense, I created high-fidelity mockups in Figma. I made sure every interaction was clear and predictable, especially around transactions, success and failure states, offline payments, and repayment insights. Visual consistency and accessibility were key throughout the design.
Key Experiences Designed
Application & Instant Activation
Eligible users can apply and get approved instantly within their mobile banking app.
Transaction and Repayments
Users get full transparency on spending, due amount, billing cycles, transaction history, and card controls.
EMI
Eligible purchases can be turned into EMIs directly from the transaction details. Users can view EMI schedules and track installments.
Add-on Cards
Users can create add-on cards for family members, set limits, and monitor usage.
Card Controls
Limit management, merchant categories, location-based permissions, and card blocking/unblocking.
Scan and Pay
Users can pay via QR codes or contactless tags across a large merchant network.
Results & Impact (Concept Goals)
If implemented, a system like this could:
- Accelerate onboarding for partner banks
- Increase credit adoption due to instant availability
- Improve user experience with transparent and mobile-native controls
- Encourage broader usage through QR-based merchant acceptance
These goals guided the design toward usability, clarity, and accessibility.
Reflection
This concept wasn’t just about designing a virtual credit card. It was about rethinking what access to credit could look like in a country where most financial processes still rely on physical steps. By imagining a fully digital, user-first experience, I explored how banks could offer credit more efficiently and how everyday users could manage their finances with more confidence. This project reflects my approach to designing fintech experiences that simplify complexity and put users in control.