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Paying with a bank transfer in just a few seconds can be incredibly convenient. It's not only helpful for paying that forgotten bill just in time to avoid fines but also for splitting bills at a restaurant, during a flea market, and more.
Here's how an instant bank transfer works:
The name gives it away. An instant bank transfer (also known as Instant Payment) is a transfer that is processed immediately, 24/7. This includes nights, holidays, and weekends. The money appears in seconds in your account, even if the sender has an account at a different bank.
Yes, over 14% of all transfers are instant bank transfers today. Between the launch in March 2019 and the end of September 2020, there were 130 million instant bank transfers. The average amount per instant transfer is 550 euros.
An instant bank transfer is super useful in various situations. Here's what you can do:
Yes, instant bank transfers are processed at any time of the day, 24/7, including nights, holidays, and weekends.
For instance, if you pay your energy bill using an instant bank transfer, the money is in your energy supplier's account within seconds. If the money doesn't show up within seconds, the payment doesn't go through.
Yes, you can use instant bank transfers for both small and larger amounts. However, your bank might set a limit, just like they do for daily limits in mobile banking apps.
It depends on your bank. Each bank decides how and at what cost they offer instant payments.
No, similar to a classic transfer, the initiation of your payment transaction is irreversible. Your bank will make every effort to recover your money in case of fraud or an error, but this doesn't guarantee success.
Generally, you can initiate an instant bank transfer using your computer, tablet, or smartphone—just like you would for traditional digital payments. However, your bank decides how and through which channel they offer instant bank transfers. Visit your bank's website for more information.
In 2019, nearly 95% of Belgian current accounts could receive instant bank transfers. To check if your bank supports initiating instant transfers, visit their website.
Of je ook instantoverschrijvingen kunt initiëren, verschilt van bank tot bank. Neem zeker een kijkje op de site van je bank. Daar vind je meer informatie over haar aanbod.
No, not every transfer is instant. Traditional transfers still exist.
Absolutely. Banks take all necessary measures to protect you from fraud. Instant bank transfers are as safe as traditional digital payments. You can further enhance your security by never sharing your codes via email, SMS, phone, or social media.
No, a card payment isn't a bank transfer and doesn't qualify as an instant payment. When you pay with a card in a store, the money won't appear in the merchant's account within seconds. However, card payments are usually quick. Depending on the payment time, the merchant might receive the money on the same day or the next day.
Some banks offer European payments, and this offering will be expanded in 2020. Check with your bank for details.
Absolutely. Belgium is one of the first European countries where many banks offer instant bank transfers. Belgian banks have heavily invested in this project over the past 3 years, led by Febelfin.