Wero, the new European payment solution developed by the European Payment Initiative (EPI) will be available to Computop customers from the moment it launches e-commerce payment in mid-2025. Computop, the leading payment service provider, will integrate the payment method, which is based on real-time credit transfers (SEPA Instant Payments), in Q4 2024. While payments between individuals will be available in 2024, online retailers will be able to offer wero payments by mid-2025.

Simple Merchant Integration

The new cross-border payment method, which is initially launched in Germany, France and Belgium, will be available to merchants for the most important technical connections through the Computop Paygate payment platform.

All APIs, as well as the preconfigured Hosted Payment Page, will enable payments with wero without the need for major development. Retailers who are interested can register now for the pilot phase in Q4 2024.

Wero transactions will usually be carried out by the customer in the bank’s own app or in the new wero wallet. Merchant apps will also be enabled to use wero payments in the future, while the payment process in desktop e-commerce will be triggered by QR code.

Wide availability for multiple countries

Wero will be available to customers of all banks participating in EPI as it is launched to merchants. In addition to savings banks and co-operative banks, these include BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Postbank, ING, Société Générale, KBC, Fortis, Belfius, Crédit Agricole, Crédit Mutuel, BPCE, and La Banque Postale. wero will be available to around 85% of all bank customers in Germany, France and Belgium.

Merchants will benefit from the new payment method being expanded after the online launch, to include use in bricks-and-mortar retail and numerous other functions. These include reservations and refunds, so that a scope of services similar to that of the debit card can be achieved, with ‘payments without a terminal (scan and go)’ also added. Over time, additional value-added services like integration of merchant loyalty programs and BNPL will be integrated.

Stephan Kück, Managing Director of Computop, emphasises: ‘With the integration of wero, Computop is once again involved in the market launch of innovative payment methods and is therefore securing a competitive advantage for its merchants. As EPI will be structured as a four-parties scheme that is similar to credit card payments, merchants benefit in particular from the multi-acquirer concept of our payment platform. Another strong advantage is the unique merchant integration for multi-country merchants’

Martina Weimert, CEO of EPI: ‘Our collaboration with Computop marks the beginning of our e-commerce journey with wero, which will complete the payment scheme to be offered by the solution in the future. We’re pleased of this first agreement that will allow merchants to project themselves with a new payment scheme that fits their needs and the customer ones of easiness, security, service-offering and cost-effectiveness for both parties. We’re happy that Computop joins us empowering our European solution in our journey of setting up a real alternative to international solutions. Many more steps to follow…!”

Operators of EV charging stations need payment processes that can fulfil card payment requirements and enable seamless integration into their apps. Computop, the international payment service provider (PSP), has today introduced Pay to Drive, an integrated solution for charging stations and ‘Pay@Pump’.

MOBILITY NEEDS FLEXIBLE PAYMENT

Thanks to the connection to the Computop Paygate platform, the payment options in Pay to Drive can be configured entirely according to the operator’s needs. Apple Pay with girocard, Google Pay or the new Click to Pay credit card option are available on the smartphone. In addition, the typical payment methods from online retail can be accommodated as well as popular local payment methods such as Swish in Sweden, Twint in Switzerland or Blik in Poland. The modern IM30 vending machine terminal accepts payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card or local debits.

Companies in very different areas of the automotive and transport sector use payment solutions from Computop. These include DeLijn / Belgium and BONNsmart in public transport, TollCollect for HGV tolls, Mercedes Pay for in-car payments and Compleo for EV charging. Computop offers customised in-app payments through to the hosted payment page, a standardised payment platform, and a choice of over 50 acquirer connections. In Germany, Computop supports girocard online payment (for example at Christ.de and Mediamarkt) for charging station operators that need a fast and efficient connection in this strong growth market. The use of tokenisation makes card payments particularly secure, with the expiry date of credit cards being updated automatically. A cash back function also makes it possible to pay out cash, for example at petrol station checkouts.

Ralf Gladis, CEO Computop, emphasises: “Electromobility is growing rapidly internationally. That’s why we believe we are perfectly positioned for e-charging providers with our numerous local payment methods and strong services in the background. Our new partnership with nexi, which has already acquired major customers in this area, further strengthens our offering. With Computop Pay to Drive, we have another flexible industry solution in our portfolio.”

Computop will demonstrate the new solution at the forthcoming UNITI conference in Hamburg, Germany.