Amazon has introduced Pay by Bank, a new payment option on amazon.co.uk enabling UK customers to complete purchases directly from their bank accounts without using cards. The service will soon extend to Prime membership payments.
Direct Bank Account Integration
Pay by Bank eliminates the need to enter or store card details by creating a secure connection between customers and their existing banks. Authentication occurs through customers' own banking apps using biometric verification or PIN systems, giving users direct control over each transaction while protecting financial information.
The service supports over 99% of UK banks, with setup taking just seconds. Customers simply select their bank from a list and authorize the connection through their familiar mobile banking interface.
Faster Refunds and Permanent Credentials
One of Pay by Bank's key advantages is refund processing speed—funds return to customers' bank accounts within minutes after Amazon confirms receipt of returned items. Since the service connects directly to bank accounts rather than relying on physical cards with expiration dates, customers won't need to update payment details, particularly beneficial for Prime subscribers.
"Pay by Bank gives customers a new payment option, and a number of benefits including faster refunds," said Jonathan Boumphrey, Country Manager for UK & Ireland at Amazon. "It takes just seconds to setup and is part of our continuous work to enhance the shopping experience for customers and provide even more ways to pay securely."
Aligned with UK Payment Strategy
The launch supports the UK's National Payment Vision framework, which encourages adoption of account-to-account (A2A) payments in e-commerce as part of the country's strategy to foster more efficient, secure, and competitive payment options.
All purchases made using Pay by Bank are covered by Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee, protecting customers if items don't arrive or don't match descriptions. Customers also benefit from protections under UK Payment Services Regulations for up to 13 months.
For more information, visit www.amazon.co.uk/paybybank.