How to Encourage Customers to Use Pay by Bank And Why They’ll Thank You

Customers are getting tired of passwords, card updates, and failed payments. Pay by bank solves a lot of that pain, but most people won’t change their behaviour unless they clearly see what’s in it for them. This is where smart, simple encouragement comes in.

Start With Why It’s Better

Before asking customers to do anything new, explain why pay by bank is worth their time.

• It’s more secure: Payments are authenticated directly through their bank, reducing card fraud and chargebacks.
• It’s smoother: No card numbers, expiry dates, or CVV to type every time.
• It’s reliable: Cards expire, get lost, or blocked; bank accounts don’t in the same way.

Use plain language. Instead of “account-to-account payment rails,” say “Pay securely straight from your bank in a few clicks.”

Make Pay by Bank the Easiest Option

If pay by bank is hidden or feels like extra work, adoption will stay low.

• Put it near the top of your payment options, not buried at the bottom.
• Use clear labels like “Pay directly from your bank” instead of only a technical or branded name.
• Reduce steps: if they’re already logged in, keep the flow tight and predictable.

A good test: if someone is in a hurry on their phone, would they still choose it?

Use Microcopy to Build Trust

Small bits of text around the button or payment flow can make a big difference.

• “No card needed—securely authorize through your bank.”
• “We never see or store your banking login details.”
• “Verified and protected by your bank’s security.”

Place this near the call-to-action so it answers objections at the exact moment of choice.

Offer Smart, Simple Incentives

Customers are more likely to try something new if there’s a clear, immediate benefit.

• Offer a small discount or fee waiver for using pay by bank.
• Highlight perks tied to your business model (e.g., “Faster payouts,” “No convenience fee,” “Instant confirmation”).
• For recurring payments, emphasize “set it and forget it” reliability.

Make sure the incentive feels like a reward, not a bribe. It should match the value of a more efficient, lower-cost payment method.

Educate at the Right Moments

People don’t want a whitepaper at checkout—but they do appreciate a quick explanation.

• Use a short FAQ link: “What is pay by bank?” that opens a simple, scannable page.
• Add an onboarding email or in-app message that explains why this option is safer and easier.
• For B2B clients, give sales and support teams simple talking points so they can confidently recommend it.

The goal is to remove mystery without overwhelming.

Let Positive Experiences Do the Selling

Once someone tries pay by bank and it “just works,” they’re more likely to use it again.

• Highlight how fast the payment completes and how quickly they get confirmation.
• For recurring or subscription use cases, show how it prevents service interruptions caused by expired cards.
• Use customer quotes or simple case stories: “Since switching to pay by bank, I haven’t had to update my payment details once.”

You’re not just changing a payment method; you’re reducing friction from their lives.

Why They’ll Thank You

If you do this well, customers won’t just tolerate pay by bank—they’ll appreciate it.

• Fewer declines, fewer headaches, fewer support calls.
• Less time searching for cards, more time finishing what they started.
• A sense that your brand is respecting their time and protecting their money.

Encouraging customers to use pay by bank isn’t about forcing a new method on them. It’s about offering a smarter, safer, and simpler way to pay—and making that choice feel like the obvious one. Over time, they’ll associate that ease with your brand, and that’s something they really will thank you for.