Unzer Launches Open Banking Payment System with Mastercard

Unzer, a payment technology provider that delivers integrated payment and software solutions, has introduced "Direct Bank Transfer," an open banking-powered payment method in partnership with Mastercard.

The service enables customers to make purchases directly from their bank accounts without credit or debit cards.

The service, which launched in January 2025, is currently available to merchants in Germany and functions across all Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) countries.

Built on Mastercard's open banking platform, Unzer plans to expand the service to additional European markets later this year.

Enhanced Security and Efficiency

Transactions processed through Direct Bank Transfer utilise existing bank authentication systems, including biometric verification, which provides security without adding complexity to the payment process.

For merchants, this pay-by-bank product addresses several common challenges in payment processing. It eliminates card limits that can prevent large purchases and reduces fraud risk associated with card payments. The system also decreases the likelihood of declined transactions.

"With Unzer Direct Transfer, we've launched a simple and trustworthy payment method based on Mastercard's open banking platform," says 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."

White-Label Options and Strategic Partnership

Unzer has announced plans to offer a white-label version of the service, allowing merchants to customise the checkout process to match their brand identity while Unzer operates behind the scenes.

This customisation capability helps build customer trust and loyalty, reduces cart abandonment, and creates a consistent shopping experience.

The Direct Bank Transfer service represents the first initiative from Unzer's collaboration with Mastercard.

The partnership aims to create a streamlined digital payment system using Mastercard's Open Banking technology for e-commerce transactions via Unzer's gateways.

Pascal Beij, Chief Commercial Officer at Unzer, says: "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."

Future Development in Open Banking Services

As part of its open banking roadmap, Unzer is developing an Account Information Service (AIS). This service will allow secure access to customer banking data, such as account balances and transaction history, via APIs.

With customer permission, businesses can utilise this data for various purposes, including streamlining financial management and offering personalised services.

The service will provide customers with a consolidated view of their finances across multiple accounts, improving transparency and control.

Unzer currently serves more than 85,000 merchants across Europe with its ecosystem of payment and software solutions.

The company employs approximately 750 staff members across eight offices in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg.

Exploring Unzer

Unzer has established itself as a comprehensive payment services provider across Europe since its founding. The company's growth strategy has included strategic acquisitions to expand its product portfolio and market reach.

In recent years, Unzer has focused on developing integrated solutions that merge payment processing with business management tools.

The company's evolution reflects broader trends in the fintech sector, where payment providers increasingly offer value-added services beyond transaction processing.

Unzer's move into open banking represents its adaptation to the changing European payment landscape, where PSD2 regulations have created opportunities for innovation.

For merchants, Unzer's ecosystem provides access to multiple payment methods through a single integration point.

This approach simplifies the technical challenges of offering diverse payment options while maintaining security compliance.

The company continues to expand its services while maintaining a focus on the European market, particularly in German-speaking regions where it has established a market presence.

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