Brite expands to UK with pay-by-bank international network

Brite Payments has launched an international pay-by-bank network in the UK that links local bank accounts to its existing cross-border payment rails. Merchants can accept direct bank payments from UK consumers at online checkout without customers entering card details.

Consumers authenticate payments through their banking apps or secure bank login flows required by open banking standards. Merchants receive near-real-time confirmation of payment and can add the option through Brite’s integration tools and APIs.

The network supports pound-denominated transactions and cross-border routing so merchants based outside the UK can accept payments from UK customers. Settlement timing and reconciliation options vary by partner bank and by merchant agreement.

Brite described the service as providing authenticated account-to-account transfers that use bank-provided data to reduce failed payments and lower the risk of fraud compared with card-not-present processes.

The company noted it has engaged with a range of UK banks and payment partners during the rollout and plans to scale connections over the coming months to broaden coverage across retail and service sectors.

Industry observers say consumer use of pay-by-bank services has increased in the UK and across Europe since open banking frameworks were introduced. Supporters argue authenticated bank payments can cut card interchange costs and reduce some types of payment fraud, while critics point to the need for greater consumer awareness and merchant integration effort.

Pay-by-bank uses open banking APIs and direct bank-to-bank messaging to let consumers authorise payments from their accounts without sharing card details. Brite’s expansion adds another provider offering merchants an authenticated bank payment route that integrates with existing e-commerce checkouts.