Instant Payments Council

Rise of Instant Payments – The Countdown to Card-Free Transactions

For Instant Payments, around the world, there’s an unmistakable clamor for faster, more convenient payment services. The demand for real-time transactions, whether it’s sending funds, paying suppliers, or making everyday purchases, is driving the rapid ascent of instant payments. In this era where speed and convenience reign supreme, it’s no surprise that instant payments are on the brink of becoming the new norm.

The Bank for International Settlements reports that instant payments have experienced explosive growth, with a remarkable year-over-year increase exceeding 30%. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for the digital payment revolution, pushing both consumers and businesses to embrace the advantages of immediate, secure, and contactless transactions. Projections indicate a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.6% for real-time payments from 2020 to 2025.

In this instant-gratification world, where consumer expectations for rapid and convenient services continue to surge, instant payments seamlessly integrate. They offer a solution that aligns with the industry’s need for increased speed and resilience, all within the framework of the core business and capabilities.

Instant payments are thriving not only in peer-to-peer transfers but also in the e-commerce landscape, and in several major markets, they are already presenting formidable competition to traditional card schemes. McKinsey reveals that more than 56 countries now have active real-time payment systems, reflecting the global momentum.

According to CapGemini, instant payments are set to comprise over 25% of global non-cash transactions by 2025, a significant increase from 14.5% in 2020. In Europe, the European Commission’s proposed mandatory instant payment legislation will likely foster consumer trust and encourage merchant acceptance, further expanding the user base.

With consumers growing accustomed to the speed of real-time settlement, a natural shift towards e-commerce and online payments is inevitable. Recognizing the potential, companies are developing scalable platforms to cater to the evolving payment needs of consumers and merchants.

In developing economies, the share of instant payments is anticipated to rise significantly, possibly accounting for half of all payment transactions by 2027. This trend is especially notable in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), where instant payments currently constitute 12% of the credit transfer volume. Regulatory intervention could further boost this share.

Moreover, new regulations on the horizon could double the projected instant payments volumes for 2027. While interest rate effects may eventually moderate, the payments sector is poised to surpass $3 trillion in revenue by 2027, ensuring robust growth in the years ahead.

The payments sector’s future appears robust, with five-year growth expected to exceed historical averages. Nevertheless, as the growth landscape transforms, banks must fine-tune their strategies to capitalize on this potential. This demands a meticulous assessment of their operations and decisive, albeit challenging, investments in constructing an efficient payments core that contributes to both top-line and bottom-line growth.

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