# A2A Payments Overview: Market Position & Latest Advancements Source: https://test-seo-payenteasy.pne.io/blog/a2a-payments-overview-market-position-and-latest-advancements _Account-to-account (A2A) transactions are rapidly gaining traction worldwide. Find out more about this payment trend and its future in this detailed overview!_ 14.09.2022 4 min read Table of contents 1. [What Is Fueling the Growth of A2A Payments?](#what-is-fueling-the-growth-of-a2a-payments) 2. [Modern-Day Global Presence of A2A Payments](#modern-day-global-presence-of-a2a-payments) 3. [Latest Developments in the A2A Payments Field](#latest-developments-in-the-a2a-payments-field) 4. [Investments into the Future of A2A Payments](#investments-into-the-future-of-a2a-payments) Contact author Contact author **Account-to-account (A2A)** transactions are swiftly overtaking cash and bank cards and are predicted to comprise **20%** of global eCommerce payments by **2023**[1](#note1). Seizing the A2A momentum requires an understanding of the latest developments related to this payment method and its perspectives in the international market. Get some insights into the current A2A transfers’ market position and find out the forecasts regarding their future evolution in this overview! ## What Is Fueling the Growth of A2A Payments? When it comes to A2A transfers, the funds move directly from one account to another, typically from the payer’s bank to a merchant or service provider’s bank. Even though such payments have been around for years, for a long time they didn’t offer advantages that would outweigh those provided by card network schemes, so businesses opted for the latter instead. However, in recent years, Open Banking played a critical role in promoting A2A payments by enabling regulated third-party financial service providers to enter the market that was previously dominated by legacy banks. Thanks to these changes, A2A transactions are becoming mainstream and offer more benefits than ever before, including: - Absence of intermediaries - Better client reach - Improved conversion rates - Lower transaction costs - Instant settlements - Advanced security - Frictionless payments The combination of these factors makes account-to-account transactions equally convenient for both the merchants and consumers, creating a promising future for this payment method. ## Modern-Day Global Presence of A2A Payments One example of the fast growth pace A2A payments have achieved in the past few years is the iDEAL scheme in the **Netherlands**: - The company recorded its first **1 billion** transactions in **mid-2016**, 12 years after it was launched. - Only two years after that, at the end of **2018**, iDEAL achieved its **second-billion milestone**. - In **2022**, the scheme hit **5 billion** transactions and is expected to continue gaining momentum[2](#note2). A similar tendency exists in the **UK**, where more than **50%** of all B2B transactions are made through instant transfers, with consumer-to-business and consumer-to-government transactions beginning to follow in their footsteps[3](#note2). What’s more, **1 in 4** credit cards in the UK can now be paid off with the help of A2A transfers. In June **2022**, the [P27 Nordic Payments](/blog/p27-explained-current-state-perspectives-and-impact-on-businesses) initiative announced its plans to become the new national clearinghouse in **Denmark** for traditional and smart payments catering to both businesses and consumers. It will also potentially enable bill settlement and RTPs with other Nordic countries like Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Globally, **60 markets** feature functioning real-time payment infrastructures, with multiple countries, including Peru, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Canada planning to launch theirs in **2022**. ## Latest Developments in the A2A Payments Field The spread of the trend for A2A payments gives life to a variety of national and international projects across the globe. Here are some of the most recent examples: **Europe** **In Europe**, the **EPI (European Payments Initiative)** has raised a lot of discussion in the context of A2A and instant payments over the course of the past year. This coalition consists of 31 banks and two third-party acquirers based in seven EU countries, namely: - Belgium - Finland - France - Germany - Poland - Spain - The Netherlands EPI’s operations currently deal with 65% of all European payment transactions. Its main goal is to develop a unified payment solution that will become the new standard for EU consumers and merchants for all types of financial transactions, with its scope covering both euro and non-euro markets. The framework of this grand initiative is based on A2A payments. **USA** **In the US**, the Federal Reserve is already onboarding the first users to test the **FedNow** instant payment service, planning its launch in **2023**. **Australia** At the end of 2021, **Australian Payments Plus** was formed through the merging of NPP Australia, Eftpos, and BPAY Group. This collaboration is set to provide improved investment management across the three payment schemes and promote a sustainable and innovative approach in the Australian payments landscape. ## Investments into the Future of A2A Payments Many industry experts agree that A2A transactions are turning into a megatrend that has the power to potentially make the world go cardless. While a lot of networks and issuers are still reluctant to encourage consumers to adopt this payment method as it would mean the loss of bank card revenues, it can’t stop the rapid spread of A2A transfers. After all, such payments are catalyzed by Open Banking and widely accepted by FIs, merchants, and consumers. Plenty of other card networks, on the other hand, have embraced the inevitable change and invested in A2A payments, aiming to diversify their product portfolio. Some examples of such strategic activity are: - **Mastercard** purchasing the controlling shares of **Vocalink** and **Nets** - **American Express** launching **Pay By Bank Transfer** As for banks, the majority of them are trying to achieve better control of the payment rails, with EPI being one instance of such an initiative. All in all, the investments into A2A transactions are sure to keep incoming, and the global market share of such payments will continue increasing. So, if you still don’t implement them in your operations, now is the perfect time to get started. *1 - FIS - 2020 Global Payments Report 2, 3 - Forbes - Account-to-Account Payments* Contact author ### Empower your business with strong technology today! Learn how