#payee verification

As digital payments become faster and more seamless, so do the risks associated with them—particularly Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where scammers trick users into transferring money to the wrong account. To address this growing threat, Verification of Payee (VoP) is becoming a vital tool in the European fintech ecosystem.

For developers building fintech apps across Europe, integrating VoP through Name verification and account verification APIs is now a smart—and increasingly essential—step toward fraud prevention and scam prevention.

Why VoP APIs Matter for Fintech Developers

VoP APIs offer real-time payee verification, confirming whether the name entered by a user matches the account holder's name at the bank. This protects both senders and recipients, making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate someone else.

For fintech developers, VoP integration ensures:

Enhanced user trust

Lower fraud-related losses

Compliance with upcoming EU regulations like PSD3

A competitive edge in a security-conscious market

Accessing VoP APIs in Europe: Where to Start

Developers in Europe have multiple paths to integrating payer verification via VoP APIs. Here’s how you can begin:

1. Partner with a VoP Service Provider

Several fintech companies and open banking platforms offer ready-to-use VoP solutions. Top providers in Europe include:

SurePay (Netherlands)

NatWest Group (UK, via Payit)

Banking Circle

Nordigen (now part of GoCardless)

TrueLayer and Tink (for broader open banking + VoP capabilities)

These providers offer APIs that handle name verification, account verification, and other security layers, so you don’t need to build from scratch.

2. Use Open Banking Frameworks

European fintech apps can access VoP via open banking APIs regulated under PSD2. Many Account Information Service Providers (AISPs) and Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs) embed account verification and fraud prevention logic within their API layers.

Check if the bank or institution you're integrating with supports:

SEPA Instant Payments

IBAN checks

Real-time payee verification

3. Develop Custom Integrations with Banks

For apps dealing with high transaction volumes or custom flows, direct VoP integration with banks may be ideal. However, this approach often requires:

Regulatory approval (as a TPP under PSD2)

Secure API management

Strong customer authentication (SCA) mechanisms

Many banks in the EU are expanding access to VoP for verified third parties, especially as PSD3 is expected to push financial fraud prevention as a compliance requirement.

Key Features to Look for in a VoP API

When choosing or building your VoP API integration, ensure it includes:

Real-time name matching (including match, close match, or no match responses)

IBAN or account number validation

Scalable API endpoints for batch or single requests

Audit trails for compliance and dispute resolution

Customizable logic for how to handle mismatches

Challenges Developers May Face

While access is growing, developers may face hurdles such as:

Lack of uniformity across European banks

Inconsistent name formatting (e.g., full name vs initials)

Variable access rights across jurisdictions

Bank-specific APIs with limited documentation

To overcome this, partnering with an established VoP API provider that already handles these challenges can significantly reduce time to market.

Future Outlook: VoP APIs and PSD3

With PSD3 and the Instant Payments Regulation on the horizon, the European Commission is expected to make payer verification mandatory for all real-time payments. This means VoP APIs will no longer be optional—they will be a legal necessity for scam prevention and financial fraud prevention across Europe.

For developers, now is the time to future-proof your fintech apps by embedding VoP capabilities that align with this evolving regulatory environment.

Final Thoughts

In a world where trust is everything, Verification of Payee isn’t just a technical feature—it’s a critical layer of protection for your users. By integrating VoP APIs with robust name verification and account verification, European fintech developers can offer safer, smarter payment experiences.