Checkout.com Partners Visa for UK, Europe Card Issuing
Checkout.com has partnered with Visa to launch card issuing services across the UK and Europe, enabling merchants to issue physical and virtual Visa cards through its platform.
The collaboration removes pre-funding requirements and provides instant access to acquired funds for supplier payments.
The partnership leverages Checkout.com's payment technology, which processes tens of billions of transactions annually for global e-commerce merchants, combined with Visa's global payment network.
The service addresses operational challenges faced by businesses that manage complex payment processes separating consumer funds from supplier payments.
Merchants often struggle to connect revenue collected from customers with capital required to pay partners.
Enhanced capital efficiency
Checkout.com's dual role as both acquirer and issuer on the Visa network creates operational synergies for participating merchants.
Funds acquired through Checkout.com's platform become immediately available for merchant payments to suppliers, removing traditional settlement delays.
The integration eliminates the need for merchants to maintain separate funding sources for customer collections and supplier payments.
This approach reduces working capital requirements and accelerates cash flow cycles.
Merchants gain access to Visa's global acceptance network whilst maintaining integration with Checkout.com's existing payment services.
The platform includes spend control features and treasury management capabilities designed to reduce operational friction.
Market positioning
The partnership extends Checkout.com's product portfolio beyond traditional payment processing into working capital management.
Checkout.com operates both acquiring and issuer processing services on the Visa network, creating connectivity between payment functions.
Businesses using the service can address payment orchestration challenges through direct connectivity between acquiring and issuing functions.
This structure reduces intermediary steps in payment flows and minimises associated costs and delays.
The companies have launched the service for merchants in the UK and Europe. No expansion plans for additional regions have been disclosed.
Executive response
Antony Cahill, CEO of Visa Europe, positions the partnership as addressing specific merchant requirements. “This is a significant partnership that will bring huge benefits to European merchants,” Antony says.
He emphasises operational benefits for businesses managing complex payment structures. “At Visa, we recognise the unique challenges faced by the travel industry when it comes to managing payments and cash flow,” Antony says.
“Our partnership with Checkout.com brings powerful card issuing solutions to the sector, enabling travel businesses to operate with greater efficiency, reduced friction and improved capital management.”
Guillaume Pousaz, CEO of Checkout.com, describes the partnership as creating merchant opportunities. “Our new issuing partnership with Visa presents a major opportunity for merchants,” Guillaume says.
“By harnessing the power of Checkout's acquiring and issuing, we eliminate the need for pre-funding, enable immediate access to funds, and enhance cash flow management.”
Guillaume connects operational improvements to business outcomes. “This not only improves operational efficiency but also unlocks growth potential and business performance,” he concludes.
