Unzer, a leader in payment and software solutions, has introduced “Unzer Direct Bank Transfer,” a payment method powered by open banking that allows customers to pay directly from their bank accounts without needing a credit or debit card.
Starting in January 2025, the service is available to merchants in Germany and works seamlessly across all SEPA countries, with plans to roll it out to additional European markets later this year.
Transactions are processed through existing bank authentication systems, such as biometric verification, ensuring a simple, fast, and efficient experience. For merchants, the pay-by-bank product addresses common challenges such as card limits and fraud risk while reducing the likelihood of declined transactions.
“With Unzer Direct Bank Transfer, we’ve launched a simple and trustworthy payment method based on Mastercard’s open banking infrastructure,” said Timo Seifert, Director Product at Unzer. “Merchants benefit from faster settlements and higher conversion rates while giving customers an easy and secure way to pay. It’s a smarter, more transparent payment method that benefits everyone.”
Unzer also plans to offer a white-label option, where Unzer operates behind the scenes, allowing merchants to customize the checkout process to match their branding. This helps build trust and loyalty with customers, reduces cart abandonment, and creates a seamless shopping experience.
Unzer’s new product is the first initiative stemming from the company’s collaboration with Mastercard. The goal is to create a streamlined digital payment system using Mastercard’s Open Banking technology for smooth e-commerce transactions via Unzer’s gateways.
Pascal Beij, Chief Commercial Officer at Unzer, said: “By combining Unzer’s technology with Mastercard’s open banking platform, we’re driving innovation and empowering merchants with faster, more convenient payment experiences that meet the demands of today’s digital economy.”
Looking ahead, Unzer is developing an Account Information Service (AIS) as part of its open banking roadmap. This service will allow secure access to customer banking data, such as account balances and transaction history, via APIs. With customer consent, businesses can use this data for a variety of purposes, such as streamlining financial management and offering personalized services. AIS provides customers with a consolidated view of their finances across multiple accounts, enhancing transparency and control.