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Instant Payments

Discover the top open banking API providers powering secure, real-time instant payment capabilities for 2026.

Ready to get started with Open Banking?

Talk to an Ivy expert today and see how our default global, default instant financial infrastructure is helping leading companies grow through Open Banking.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources as of January 2026. It is intended solely to describe certain third party products and services in a factual and non evaluative manner. We do not represent, endorse, or have any affiliation, partnership, or commercial relationship with any third party provider unless explicitly stated. Product features, service scope, and regulatory permissions may change over time and may differ depending on jurisdiction. Readers should independently verify any information directly with the respective provider before making business or commercial decisions. All third party product names, trademarks, and logos are the property of their respective owners. For corrections or updates, please contact shifa.rahaman@getivy.io.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when choosing an open banking provider for instant payments?

When selecting an open banking provider, consider bank connectivity, geographic coverage, API quality, compliance, and payment reliability. Businesses should also look at features like instant settlement, payout capabilities, recurring payment support, and strong security standards to ensure a smooth user experience and scalable payments infrastructure.

How do open banking instant payments work?

Open banking instant payments allow businesses to initiate bank-to-bank transfers through APIs provided by regulated third-party providers. Customers select “Pay by Bank,” authenticate the payment in their banking app, and the provider initiates the transfer directly from the customer’s account. Because payments move account-to-account, they bypass card networks and are processed securely through open banking infrastructure.

What should you look for in an instant payments provider?

When choosing an instant payments provider, businesses should evaluate bank coverage, payment success rates, API reliability, geographic reach, and settlement speed. Strong developer tools, compliance with regulations like PSD2, and support for real-time payment rails are also important. Providers that offer high conversion rates and scalable infrastructure tend to deliver the best performance for merchants.

Are instant payments secure?

Yes. Instant payments using open banking are generally very secure because they rely on bank-level authentication and regulated APIs. Customers must approve each transaction through their bank, often using biometrics or two-factor authentication. This strong customer authentication significantly reduces fraud risk compared to traditional card payments.

Are open banking payments instant?

Many open banking payments are instant or near-instant, but speed depends on the payment rails used by the banks involved. In Europe, payments often run on SEPA Instant, which allows transfers between accounts in seconds and operates 24/7. However, some banks still rely on slower systems that can take longer to settle.

Are open banking instant payments cheaper than credit cards and digital wallets?

In many cases, yes. Open banking payments eliminate card networks and their associated interchange and processing fees. Because the payment moves directly between bank accounts, businesses can often pay significantly lower transaction costs compared to credit cards or digital wallets while also avoiding chargebacks.

Which countries support open banking instant payments?

Open banking instant payments are widely supported across the UK and Europe, particularly in countries participating in the SEPA network. Regulations such as PSD2 have enabled fintech providers to connect to banks and initiate payments securely. Support is expanding globally as more countries adopt open banking frameworks and real-time payment systems.

How long does it take to process an instant payment?

Most instant payments are processed within a few seconds. For example, the SEPA Instant scheme enables euro payments to be transferred between participating banks in under 10 seconds, with funds available immediately in the recipient’s account. These systems operate 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Instant Payments

Discover the top open banking API providers powering secure, real-time instant payment capabilities for 2026.

Ready to get started with Open Banking?

Talk to an Ivy expert today and see how our default global, default instant financial infrastructure is helping leading companies grow through Open Banking.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources as of January 2026. It is intended solely to describe certain third party products and services in a factual and non evaluative manner. We do not represent, endorse, or have any affiliation, partnership, or commercial relationship with any third party provider unless explicitly stated. Product features, service scope, and regulatory permissions may change over time and may differ depending on jurisdiction. Readers should independently verify any information directly with the respective provider before making business or commercial decisions. All third party product names, trademarks, and logos are the property of their respective owners. For corrections or updates, please contact shifa.rahaman@getivy.io.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when choosing an open banking provider for instant payments?

When selecting an open banking provider, consider bank connectivity, geographic coverage, API quality, compliance, and payment reliability. Businesses should also look at features like instant settlement, payout capabilities, recurring payment support, and strong security standards to ensure a smooth user experience and scalable payments infrastructure.

How do open banking instant payments work?

Open banking instant payments allow businesses to initiate bank-to-bank transfers through APIs provided by regulated third-party providers. Customers select “Pay by Bank,” authenticate the payment in their banking app, and the provider initiates the transfer directly from the customer’s account. Because payments move account-to-account, they bypass card networks and are processed securely through open banking infrastructure.

What should you look for in an instant payments provider?

When choosing an instant payments provider, businesses should evaluate bank coverage, payment success rates, API reliability, geographic reach, and settlement speed. Strong developer tools, compliance with regulations like PSD2, and support for real-time payment rails are also important. Providers that offer high conversion rates and scalable infrastructure tend to deliver the best performance for merchants.

Are instant payments secure?

Yes. Instant payments using open banking are generally very secure because they rely on bank-level authentication and regulated APIs. Customers must approve each transaction through their bank, often using biometrics or two-factor authentication. This strong customer authentication significantly reduces fraud risk compared to traditional card payments.

Are open banking payments instant?

Many open banking payments are instant or near-instant, but speed depends on the payment rails used by the banks involved. In Europe, payments often run on SEPA Instant, which allows transfers between accounts in seconds and operates 24/7. However, some banks still rely on slower systems that can take longer to settle.

Are open banking instant payments cheaper than credit cards and digital wallets?

In many cases, yes. Open banking payments eliminate card networks and their associated interchange and processing fees. Because the payment moves directly between bank accounts, businesses can often pay significantly lower transaction costs compared to credit cards or digital wallets while also avoiding chargebacks.

Which countries support open banking instant payments?

Open banking instant payments are widely supported across the UK and Europe, particularly in countries participating in the SEPA network. Regulations such as PSD2 have enabled fintech providers to connect to banks and initiate payments securely. Support is expanding globally as more countries adopt open banking frameworks and real-time payment systems.

How long does it take to process an instant payment?

Most instant payments are processed within a few seconds. For example, the SEPA Instant scheme enables euro payments to be transferred between participating banks in under 10 seconds, with funds available immediately in the recipient’s account. These systems operate 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Instant Payments

Discover the top open banking API providers powering secure, real-time instant payment capabilities for 2026.

Ready to get started with Open Banking?

Talk to an Ivy expert today and see how our default global, default instant financial infrastructure is helping leading companies grow through Open Banking.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources as of January 2026. It is intended solely to describe certain third party products and services in a factual and non evaluative manner. We do not represent, endorse, or have any affiliation, partnership, or commercial relationship with any third party provider unless explicitly stated. Product features, service scope, and regulatory permissions may change over time and may differ depending on jurisdiction. Readers should independently verify any information directly with the respective provider before making business or commercial decisions. All third party product names, trademarks, and logos are the property of their respective owners. For corrections or updates, please contact shifa.rahaman@getivy.io.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when choosing an open banking provider for instant payments?

When selecting an open banking provider, consider bank connectivity, geographic coverage, API quality, compliance, and payment reliability. Businesses should also look at features like instant settlement, payout capabilities, recurring payment support, and strong security standards to ensure a smooth user experience and scalable payments infrastructure.

How do open banking instant payments work?

Open banking instant payments allow businesses to initiate bank-to-bank transfers through APIs provided by regulated third-party providers. Customers select “Pay by Bank,” authenticate the payment in their banking app, and the provider initiates the transfer directly from the customer’s account. Because payments move account-to-account, they bypass card networks and are processed securely through open banking infrastructure.

What should you look for in an instant payments provider?

When choosing an instant payments provider, businesses should evaluate bank coverage, payment success rates, API reliability, geographic reach, and settlement speed. Strong developer tools, compliance with regulations like PSD2, and support for real-time payment rails are also important. Providers that offer high conversion rates and scalable infrastructure tend to deliver the best performance for merchants.

Are instant payments secure?

Yes. Instant payments using open banking are generally very secure because they rely on bank-level authentication and regulated APIs. Customers must approve each transaction through their bank, often using biometrics or two-factor authentication. This strong customer authentication significantly reduces fraud risk compared to traditional card payments.

Are open banking payments instant?

Many open banking payments are instant or near-instant, but speed depends on the payment rails used by the banks involved. In Europe, payments often run on SEPA Instant, which allows transfers between accounts in seconds and operates 24/7. However, some banks still rely on slower systems that can take longer to settle.

Are open banking instant payments cheaper than credit cards and digital wallets?

In many cases, yes. Open banking payments eliminate card networks and their associated interchange and processing fees. Because the payment moves directly between bank accounts, businesses can often pay significantly lower transaction costs compared to credit cards or digital wallets while also avoiding chargebacks.

Which countries support open banking instant payments?

Open banking instant payments are widely supported across the UK and Europe, particularly in countries participating in the SEPA network. Regulations such as PSD2 have enabled fintech providers to connect to banks and initiate payments securely. Support is expanding globally as more countries adopt open banking frameworks and real-time payment systems.

How long does it take to process an instant payment?

Most instant payments are processed within a few seconds. For example, the SEPA Instant scheme enables euro payments to be transferred between participating banks in under 10 seconds, with funds available immediately in the recipient’s account. These systems operate 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Instant Payments

Discover the top open banking API providers powering secure, real-time instant payment capabilities for 2026.

Ready to get started with Open Banking?

Talk to an Ivy expert today and see how our default global, default instant financial infrastructure is helping leading companies grow through Open Banking.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources as of January 2026. It is intended solely to describe certain third party products and services in a factual and non evaluative manner. We do not represent, endorse, or have any affiliation, partnership, or commercial relationship with any third party provider unless explicitly stated. Product features, service scope, and regulatory permissions may change over time and may differ depending on jurisdiction. Readers should independently verify any information directly with the respective provider before making business or commercial decisions. All third party product names, trademarks, and logos are the property of their respective owners. For corrections or updates, please contact shifa.rahaman@getivy.io.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when choosing an open banking provider for instant payments?

When selecting an open banking provider, consider bank connectivity, geographic coverage, API quality, compliance, and payment reliability. Businesses should also look at features like instant settlement, payout capabilities, recurring payment support, and strong security standards to ensure a smooth user experience and scalable payments infrastructure.

How do open banking instant payments work?

Open banking instant payments allow businesses to initiate bank-to-bank transfers through APIs provided by regulated third-party providers. Customers select “Pay by Bank,” authenticate the payment in their banking app, and the provider initiates the transfer directly from the customer’s account. Because payments move account-to-account, they bypass card networks and are processed securely through open banking infrastructure.

What should you look for in an instant payments provider?

When choosing an instant payments provider, businesses should evaluate bank coverage, payment success rates, API reliability, geographic reach, and settlement speed. Strong developer tools, compliance with regulations like PSD2, and support for real-time payment rails are also important. Providers that offer high conversion rates and scalable infrastructure tend to deliver the best performance for merchants.

Are instant payments secure?

Yes. Instant payments using open banking are generally very secure because they rely on bank-level authentication and regulated APIs. Customers must approve each transaction through their bank, often using biometrics or two-factor authentication. This strong customer authentication significantly reduces fraud risk compared to traditional card payments.

Are open banking payments instant?

Many open banking payments are instant or near-instant, but speed depends on the payment rails used by the banks involved. In Europe, payments often run on SEPA Instant, which allows transfers between accounts in seconds and operates 24/7. However, some banks still rely on slower systems that can take longer to settle.

Are open banking instant payments cheaper than credit cards and digital wallets?

In many cases, yes. Open banking payments eliminate card networks and their associated interchange and processing fees. Because the payment moves directly between bank accounts, businesses can often pay significantly lower transaction costs compared to credit cards or digital wallets while also avoiding chargebacks.

Which countries support open banking instant payments?

Open banking instant payments are widely supported across the UK and Europe, particularly in countries participating in the SEPA network. Regulations such as PSD2 have enabled fintech providers to connect to banks and initiate payments securely. Support is expanding globally as more countries adopt open banking frameworks and real-time payment systems.

How long does it take to process an instant payment?

Most instant payments are processed within a few seconds. For example, the SEPA Instant scheme enables euro payments to be transferred between participating banks in under 10 seconds, with funds available immediately in the recipient’s account. These systems operate 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Ready for the future of money?

Ready for the future of money?

Ready for the future of money?

Ready for the future of money?

Money, at internet speed

Ivy GmbH may provide payment services through Ivy Pay Oy, which is an Authorized Payment Institution. Ivy Pay Oy's license is granted by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN FSA) with the registration number 3292703-8. Your account and related payment services are provided by one or more financially regulated partner. Your funds will be held in one or more segregated accounts and the full value safeguarded in line with the Financial Supervision Act.

Money, at internet speed

Ivy GmbH may provide payment services through Ivy Pay Oy, which is an Authorized Payment Institution. Ivy Pay Oy's license is granted by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN FSA) with the registration number 3292703-8. Your account and related payment services are provided by one or more financially regulated partner. Your funds will be held in one or more segregated accounts and the full value safeguarded in line with the Financial Supervision Act.

Money, at
internet speed

Ivy GmbH may provide payment services through Ivy Pay Oy, which is an Authorized Payment Institution. Ivy Pay Oy's license is granted by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN FSA) with the registration number 3292703-8. Your account and related payment services are provided by one or more financially regulated partner. Your funds will be held in one or more segregated accounts and the full value safeguarded in line with the Financial Supervision Act.

Money, at internet speed

Ivy GmbH may provide payment services through Ivy Pay Oy, which is an Authorized Payment Institution. Ivy Pay Oy's license is granted by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN FSA) with the registration number 3292703-8. Your account and related payment services are provided by one or more financially regulated partner. Your funds will be held in one or more segregated accounts and the full value safeguarded in line with the Financial Supervision Act.