The solution allows consumers to initiate online payments to merchants.

Open Banking by ECOMMPAY leverages Open Banking technology, which enables third-party providers to access banks’ data to provide payment initiation through API connections. The news comes as research by the Open Banking Implementation Entity recently showed that uptake of Open Banking has doubled over the past six months, with more than two million consumers making use of the data-sharing service.

ECOMMPAY’s solution will allow consumers to connect to over 4000 banks in more than 28 European countries, while merchants can accept payments from customers in real-time, directly to their bank account. The solution is available in the UK, Latvia, Estonia and the Netherlands, and will be rolled out to further countries soon.
Benefits for consumers as well as merchants

For shoppers, Open Banking by ECOMMPAY means confidential information is accessed in a secure manner, compliant with GDPR requirements. Financial data is stored in one place so that credit decisions on loans or other transactions can be made promptly. Purchases can be made easily via smart devices, and consumers simply log in to their online banking via their mobile app to approve payments.

Merchants benefit from access to new infrastructure for payments. Without the need for credit or debit cards, chargeback risks due to fraud or an inability to capture funds are eliminated, while card fees are cut too. As the process does not require intermediaries, the payment process is efficient, and can also be customised by region, currency and other localised requirements. While banks usually have full control over the services customers need such as loans or transfers, Open Banking brings these decisions under a single administration.

Simplified European expansion
Historically, businesses growing into new markets would require a local banking relationship to facilitate the collection of direct debit payments, and face multiple complications around legal requirements, licenses and compliance. However, Open Banking by ECOMMPAY allows companies to use one efficient, cost-effective and simple payment solution to expand within Europe.

Paul Marcantonio, Executive Director of ECOMMPAY, commented: “Open Banking is revolutionising the way we pay, and the recent growth in its use indicates people are looking for more payments choice. Open Banking for Europe by ECOMMPAY will allow us to cater to the increasing number of people taking advantage of this secure, real-time and simple payment technology. Our solution will let merchants quickly expand into new markets and accept payments directly from customers’ bank accounts.

“With the pandemic shifting businesses online faster than ever before, the need for fast, safe and secure payment methods is growing. There is an urgent need to cater to a variety of payment methods, and at the same time to counter fraud and cyber-crime.”

ECOMMPAY has enjoyed steady growth since its launch in 2012, and has built a global presence with six international offices and operations in key markets including Asia, Europe, Africa, Russia and the UK. The company is a principal member of Visa and Mastercard, and a member of Visa Direct and MoneySend, as well as being the first payment provider on the PayPal Commerce Platform and the first acquirer to implement a Mastercard Dashboard.