Amazon has launched Pay by Bank on its UK marketplace, unveiling a new payment option that allows customers to complete purchases directly from their bank accounts without using debit or credit cards.
The new service enables shoppers on amazon.co.uk to make payments through a secure connection to their existing UK bank, using their bank’s own authentication systems such as biometrics or PIN verification. Amazon said the feature is designed to improve checkout security while aligning with growing consumer preference for direct, digital banking-based payments.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that Pay by Bank removes the need for customers to enter or store card details, offering a streamlined checkout experience similar to mobile banking apps. The service also supports faster refunds, with funds returned to customers’ bank accounts within minutes once returned items are received and processed by Amazon.
Amazon confirmed that the payment option will also be extended to Prime membership payments in the near future. Because Pay by Bank does not rely on card credentials or expiration dates, customers will not need to update payment information over time, a feature expected to appeal to long-term subscribers.
Jonathan Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK and Ireland Country Manager, said the new payment method expands customer choice while improving speed and convenience at checkout. He added that setup takes only seconds, with customers selecting their bank from a list that covers more than 99 per cent of UK banking institutions.
The introduction of Pay by Bank aligns with the UK’s National Payments Vision, which promotes the wider adoption of account-to-account payments in e-commerce to enhance competition, efficiency and consumer protection across the payments ecosystem.
Amazon stated that all purchases made using Pay by Bank are protected under its A-to-Z Guarantee, covering non-delivery and product mismatch claims. Customers also retain protections under the UK Payment Services Regulations, which provide safeguards for eligible transactions for up to 13 months.
With Pay by Bank, Amazon joins a growing number of global merchants adopting direct bank payment solutions as alternatives to traditional card-based transactions, reflecting a broader shift in how consumers pay online.
