TrueLayer, SumUp partner to enable bank top-ups

TrueLayer and SumUp announced an integration that enables merchants and customers to add funds to SumUp accounts directly from their bank accounts using open-banking payment initiation and account verification.

Under the agreement, SumUp customers can start a bank transfer through TrueLayer’s open-banking API and complete authentication via their bank’s login flow. The process does not require entering card details; funds move from the payer’s bank account to the SumUp balance once the transfer is initiated and verified.

TrueLayer supplies the connectivity to customer banks and the account verification tools. SumUp will integrate the capability into its app and merchant services so businesses can fund their SumUp balances alongside accepting card and contactless payments.

The partners expect the integration to shorten the time between initiating a transfer and having cleared funds in a SumUp account, reduce reliance on card networks for top-ups, and cut steps in the payment flow by confirming payer identity and account ownership before settlement.

Technically, the solution uses standard open-banking APIs for payment initiation and to verify account details prior to transfer. The verification step aims to reduce failed payments and speed reconciliation by confirming the source account and the payer name. The flow also uses stronger customer authentication measures required under PSD2.

Both companies operate mainly in the UK and Europe, where open-banking frameworks support bank-to-bank payment adoption. Availability will vary by market depending on local bank integrations and regulations; no global rollout timetable was provided.

SumUp provides card readers, merchant services and business accounts for small businesses. TrueLayer offers open-banking APIs that let third parties initiate payments and access account information with customer consent.