Bancomat Pay: the must-have local payment method to conquer the italian market
Bancomat Pay is currently one of the most widely used mobile payment solutions in Italy. It allows consumers to pay for purchases online and in-store, send money between individuals (peer-to-peer, P2P), and pay for certain public services directly from their bank account via their smartphone.
The service is operated by Bancomat SpA, a historical player in Italian payments, responsible for the main domestic payment and withdrawal networks for over 40 years. In 2023, the network processed 2.5 billion transactions, including payments and withdrawals, and had 34 million cards in circulation1. This central position makes Bancomat a pillar of the Italian banking ecosystem for both consumers and merchants.
Unlike card payments relying on international networks, Bancomat Pay is based on an account-to-account (A2A) payment model, initiated directly from the customer’s bank account and validated via strong authentication (biometrics - Touch ID, Face ID - or PIN code). This local approach, widely adopted by Italian consumers, offers merchants an alternative to traditional payment methods.
Within the Bancomat ecosystem, several services coexist and are used daily:
- BANCOMAT, for cash withdrawals at ATMs;
- PagoBANCOMAT, for debit card payments on the Italian domestic network, comparable to CB Cartes Bancaires in France, as the national card payment scheme;
- Bancomat Pay, for mobile payments and account-to-account transfers, independent of cards.
Bancomat Pay is experiencing sustained growth: in 2024, transaction volumes increased by more than 45%2 compared to the previous year. Today, the service has more than 11 million active users and is accepted by over 385,0003 merchants, covering a wide range of sectors.
Whether you already sell in Italy or are looking to attract Italian customers from another European Union country, integrating Bancomat Pay into your payment mix is a strategic lever to enhance the customer experience, optimize performance, and strengthen your competitiveness in this key market.
What is Bancomat Pay?
Bancomat Pay is an Italian mobile payment service developed by Bancomat SpA, allowing users to:
- Pay online and in-store,
- Send money between individuals (P2P),
- Pay for certain public services via pagoPA.
This account-to-account (A2A) solution relies on a direct transfer of funds between bank accounts, without using international card networks. It links the user’s bank account (via IBAN or Bancomat card) to their mobile phone number.
The user experience varies slightly depending on the bank: some customers use their banking app directly, others use the Bancomat Pay app. This payment method is intended for customers with an account in a bank within the Bancomat network, for transactions in euros initiated from Italy or abroad.
How does Bancomat Pay work?
Online payments (e-commerce)
- The customer selects Bancomat Pay at checkout and enters their phone number.
- A push notification is sent to their smartphone.
- The customer opens the Bancomat Pay app or their banking app and validates the payment via biometrics or PIN code.
- The transaction is confirmed in the app and on the merchant site.
In-store payments
- The customer scans the QR code displayed on the payment terminal or checkout system.
- They validate the payment on their device via biometrics or PIN code.
- The transaction is confirmed directly in the app and on the terminal.
Peer-to-peer payments (P2P)
- The user selects the P2P function in the app.
- They choose the beneficiary and enter the amount.
- The transfer is carried out instantly if the recipient is activated; otherwise, the beneficiary receives an invitation to activate Bancomat Pay.
Why do Italians prefer to pay with Bancomat Pay?
Bancomat Pay offers Italian consumers a fluid, secure, and centralized payment experience, adapted to different use cases. Here are the main benefits:
Simplified user journey
- Users pay directly from their bank account, without needing a physical card or a third-party wallet.
- Centralization in a single application (Bancomat Pay or integrated banking app) allows for managing all payments: online and in-store purchases, P2P transfers, and payments to the public administration (pagoPA).
- The complete transaction history is accessible in one place, facilitating expense tracking and budget management.
The app is designed for 100% mobile use, offering an intuitive and fast journey. Users can pay in a few clicks, follow their transactions in real time, and manage their money transparently.
Flexible and secure payments
Payments via Bancomat Pay are not constrained by traditional credit card limits, but remain subject to limits set by the customer’s bank and the available funds in the account. This approach offers payers adapted flexibility, allowing them to carry out transactions for both small daily purchases and higher amounts, within a framework compliant with local banking practices.
All transactions are validated via strong authentication, guaranteeing the security of each payment. Bancomat Pay complies with Italian and European banking standards (PSD2 - Payment Services Directive 2, SCA - Strong Customer Authentication), thus ensuring maximum protection for all operations.
Wide acceptance
Bancomat Pay is accepted by more than 385,000 merchants in Italy, covering many sectors (retail, services, mobility, etc.). This widespread adoption guarantees customers that they can use the same solution for a large variety of transactions, both for payments made online and in person.
Loyalty programs and cashback
Bancomat Pay offers loyalty and cashback programs through selected campaigns and participating merchants, designed to reward users for their purchases.
Cashback is a mechanism that allows the payer to recover part of the amount spent, generally credited to their account or in the form of exclusive advantages. For example, a payer spending 100 € can receive 5 € back directly or via vouchers or loyalty points.
Every payment made with Bancomat Pay can thus generate a tangible benefit, strengthening payer engagement and encouraging them to favor merchants who accept this payment method. These programs also contribute to customer loyalty and encourage recurring use of Bancomat Pay.
Why should you offer Bancomat Pay?
Increased acceptance rates
Payments via Bancomat Pay are made directly from the customer’s bank account, avoiding declines due to card limits or expiration. This Account-to-Account (A2A) approach reduces the friction often associated with traditional cards, such as 3D Secure rejections or additional verification steps.
After implementing Bancomat Pay, merchants typically see a significant reduction in declined transactions, improving overall business performance.
Conversion optimization
With over 11 million active users in Italy, Bancomat Pay provides access to a large base of consumers familiar with this payment method. Offering a trusted local solution reassures users and boosts the conversion of visitors into buyers on the Italian market.
By replacing manual entry of bank or card details with a simple phone number input, Bancomat Pay streamlines the online checkout process, reduces errors, and lowers the risk of cart abandonment, increasing conversion opportunities. Its fast and simple mobile experience enhances engagement and delivers a smooth, user-friendly payment journey.
By replacing manual entry of bank or card details with the simple input of a phone number, Bancomat Pay streamlines the online payment process, reduces errors, and lowers the risk of cart abandonment, thereby increasing the likelihood of conversion. The simplicity and speed of the mobile journey enhance engagement and provide a smooth and enjoyable user experience
Lower costs and improved cash flow
A2A payments are typically processed almost in real time, depending on banking schedules. This rapid settlement allows merchants to optimize cash flow and better manage their finances.
Bancomat Pay’s model reduces intermediaries, resulting in lower transaction fees and greater visibility over received funds. Merchants therefore benefit from improved payment tracking and more efficient operational cost management.
Response to local habits and loyalty
Accepting Bancomat Pay allows merchants to align with the payment habits of Italian consumers, strengthening their relevance in the local market. Integrating a widely used local payment method differentiates the offering from international competitors and enhances the customer experience.
The loyalty and cashback programs offered by Bancomat Pay increase the appeal of the solution, encourage repeat purchases, and promote long-term customer loyalty.
Why integrate Bancomat Pay with HiPay?
Unique and simplified integration
HiPay, a multilocal European payment provider, offers merchants a centralized integration, giving access to Bancomat Pay as well as other local and international payment methods. This approach enables rapid deployment in new markets, reduces operational complexity, and simplifies the management of payment methods.
Local expertise and support
HiPay has a local team in Italy, knowledgeable about the banking, regulatory, and technological ecosystem. They support merchants at every stage of Bancomat Pay integration, optimize payment flows, and implement the necessary levers to maximize conversion.
With recognized expertise in deploying local payment methods, we were the first provider to enable online payments via Multibanco MB Way, the Portuguese solution based on Account-to-Account (A2A) payments. This know-how demonstrates our ability to help merchants turn local specificities into international growth opportunities.
Personalized support also includes strategic advice to continuously optimize the performance of each payment method, market, and sales channel.
HiPay is one of only two international PSPs to offer Bancomat Pay and becomes your trusted partner, close to both your local and international teams, able to understand the specific challenges of the Italian market as well as those at the European level.
Conclusion
Integrating Bancomat Pay into your payment mix allows you to:
- Effectively reach Italian consumers,
- Improve conversion and user experience,
- Optimize transaction costs,
- Benefit from a secure, recognized, and widely used payment method.
In a context of strong adoption of local payment methods in Europe, Bancomat Pay is a key lever to accelerate your commercial development in Italy and sustainably strengthen your competitiveness in this market.
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1 Il salone dei pagamenti, 2025
2 Bancomat, 2025
3 Bancomat, 2025