Account to Account payments - mdoujak/A2AP GitHub Wiki

Account-to-account (A2A) payments are digital transfers of money made directly between two bank accounts. In Switzerland, these transfers are typically processed through the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) system, enabling real-time or same-day settlements, and through SEPA for cross-border payments within Europe.

The key objective of A2A payments is to enable fast, secure, and cost-efficient transactions by leveraging existing banking infrastructure. With the rise of digital banking and open finance initiatives in Switzerland, A2A payments are becoming a vital tool for both consumers and businesses.

Compared to credit card payments, A2A payments in Switzerland:

• Avoid high interchange and processing fees associated with card schemes.
• Settle quickly, often instantly through SIC.
• Enhance data security by eliminating card data and token storage.
• Are push-based, initiated by the payer, reducing fraud and eliminating chargebacks.

For Swiss merchants, service providers, and financial institutions, A2A payments offer a compelling alternative to card-based transactions—particularly for recurring payments, bill settlements, and e-commerce—by combining efficiency with lower cost and increased control.