BNP Paribas expands Wero wallet acceptance

BNP Paribas has accelerated rollout of its Wero digital wallet, increasing the number of merchants that accept it and boosting retail customer registrations across its markets.

Implementation began in recent months in countries where the bank has a strong retail presence, with early deployment focused on urban retailers and convenience stores.

To speed merchant adoption, the bank added plug-ins and APIs for popular point-of-sale systems, offered training and support for small and medium retailers, and streamlined merchant onboarding. The bank also worked to ensure compatibility with contactless terminals and to support QR-code payments where terminals do not support NFC.

For consumers, the bank simplified the registration process, added clearer in-app instructions for payments and peer transfers, and released app updates. The rollout included promotion of the wallet through branch channels and digital messaging to encourage everyday use in stores and online checkouts.

E-commerce integration options were expanded so merchants can offer Wero alongside traditional card payments. The bank introduced promotional offers aimed at encouraging first uses and repeat transactions and formed partnerships with selected retailers to increase Wero visibility at checkout.

Merchants received guidance on settlement processes, fee structures and reconciliation to assist with back-office integration and reduce barriers to accepting the new payment method.

BNP Paribas cited rising consumer demand for mobile and contactless payments and competition from fintech wallets and card networks as motivations for the expansion. The Wero rollout follows earlier investments by the bank in mobile payment infrastructure and partnerships to broaden digital services for retail clients.