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 Sakkun Tickoo
Sakkun Tickoo

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The revolution in integrated payments: the intersection of open banking and digital advancements

The digital revolution in payment systems is changing industries, and integrated payments stand at the front. The synergy of open banking, payment APIs, subscription billing software, and subscription management tools is laying the foundation for faster, safer, and less expensive financial services. Let's dive into the technologies that revolutionise payments and provide innovative solutions across different industries.

What are integrated payments?

Integrated payments simplify transactions because they combine the processing of payments with the current business applications. Unlike conventional systems, integrated payments consolidate all operations under a single platform, thereby enhancing efficiency and usability.
For example, a retail shop with an integrated payment will link the point-of-sale, inventory management, and accounting systems. This will minimise transaction times to 45% and data entry by 60%.

Why is integrated payment taking centre stage?

1. Streamlined integration
Integrated payments are designed to work harmoniously with applications such as:
POS Systems: Restaurants can have table-side payment devices that automatically update their inventory and sales.
E-Commerce Platforms: Shopify and WooCommerce offer APIs for various payments and aggregate data management.
Accounting Software: Sage and QuickBooks automatically reconcile to track the real-time financials.

2. Automation for recurring payments
Subscription billing software streamlines recurring transactions with ease, something that gyms and wellness centres need. Integrated membership payments and attendance tracking to invoicing tools free up staff resources for customer engagements.

3. Improved security
The integrated system has PCI-DSS compliance with encryption and fraud prevention. This means that there is a decline in fraud by 60% with strong customer authentication to ensure secure transactions. Mobile-first open banking: a new frontier.

The rise of mobile-first payment solutions, powered by open banking APIs, represents perhaps the most significant shift in the integrated payments landscape. With over 70% of consumers preferring to manage subscriptions through mobile devices, businesses are reimagining their payment infrastructure to prioritise mobile experiences while leveraging open banking capabilities.

The leading providers, Wonderful and Stripe, have led the way in this integration by developing mobile-optimised payment APIs that connect directly with users' bank accounts through open banking channels. This combination offers several unique advantages:

Instant account verification: Open banking APIs enable real-time account verification through mobile devices, reducing registration abandonment rates by 40% compared to traditional methods.

Secure biometric authentication: Open banking with fingerprint and face recognition built-in Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) rules has enabled easy and safe payments, reducing fraud attempts by 65%.

Smart payment routing: Modern subscription billing software uses open banking data to intelligently route payments through the most efficient channels, reducing transaction costs by up to 25% compared to traditional card payments.

New Opportunities in Integrated Payments

Internet of Things (IoT) Integration: The IoT is adding a new dimension to payments. For example, connected refrigerators or fitness wearables can trigger automatic payments through subscription management tools. This is frictionless for the user, especially in the case of routine or subscription-based transactions.

Inclusive financing courtesy of open banking: Financial Inclusion by Open Banking Open banking expands financial services to more excluded populations. A fintech can use the APIs of payments in order to develop low-cost micro-loans, real-time saving plans, and cheap cross-border payments.

Subscription payments revolution

This is particularly where mobile-first approaches meet open banking in the subscription economy. The latest subscription management tools now rely on open banking's Variable Recurring Payments capabilities, accessed via mobile interfaces, and transform the way businesses process recurring transactions.

This innovation has reduced the failure rate of payments by 30% as compared to card-based systems, while mobile accessibility has improved customer engagement rates by 45%. Companies like Wonderful have capitalised on this trend by offering transparent, fee-free solutions that make subscription management seamless across all devices.

How do you integrate payment APIs into your app?

It's never been easier to add cash to apps:

● Select a service provider: Choose services like PayPal, Wonderful, or Stripe depending on their global reach and features of subscription management tools.
● Secure API keys: Obtain identification keys from your provider.
● Use SDKs: Add functionalities such as digital wallets, card storage, and subscription payments.
● Test before launch: Check the functionality in a test environment to ensure that it works fine.

For example, a fitness app may utilise payment APIs to make it easier to pay for subscriptions, book appointments for personal training, and pay for classes while keeping the user experience smooth.

Security and innovation convergence

The combination of open banking security protocols with mobile authentication methods brings unprecedented levels of payment security. SCA requirements applied through mobile biometric verification show a 60% reduction in fraud incidents yet maintain a fluid user experience.

API advantage

Payment APIs will be the strong bridge between a mobile interface and open banking capability. Modern providers ensure robust API ecosystems that enable the following:

● Direct bank account connections through mobile devices
● Real-time payment status updates and balance monitoring
● Automated reconciliation processes reduce accounting workload by 60%
● Cross-device payment synchronization with cloud infrastructure

Real-world impact across industries

The impact of mobile-first open banking integration is visible across various sectors:

● Retail: Businesses report a 40% increase in customer engagement through personalised mobile loyalty programs integrated with open banking payment systems.
● Subscription-based businesses: Modern subscription billing software that is mobile-first sees 25% more customers retained.
● B2B transactions: Organisations reduce their working capital requirements by as much as 30% by having mobile-enabled payment workflows and real-time access to banking data.

Top integrated payment providers

Adyen is a platform built for global scalability, supporting various payment methods, including open banking. Its fraud prevention tools and real-time analytics make it popular with large enterprises.

Wonderful offers transparent pricing and customisable solutions for nonprofits and purpose-driven businesses. Their platform offers seamless integration, making it a top choice for organisations prioritising transparency and social impact.

Square is loved by small and medium-sized businesses due to its one-for-all POS along with integrated payment facilities. Subscription billing and friendly APIs make it very suitable for any business looking for versatility and expansion.

Conclusion

Payment APIs, subscription billing software, and subscription management tools are merging into open banking, which is transforming the financial transactions, including subscription payments. Embracing these new innovations allows businesses to soar in efficiency, security, and customer satisfaction, ensuring a sound competitive advantage for them in this digital marketplace.

Companies like Wonderful, Stripe, Sage, and others are frontrunners in this technological revolution.

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