September 2021, Visa commissioned EDC to conduct research across seven markets. The research sought to understand the preferences of consumers and small businesses to receive payments, along with merchant priorities for disbursing funds. Specifically, the analysis explored what features customer value when choosing a payment method and whether the solutions currently available were meeting their expectations.

The research was carried out across 7 markets, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and Romania. It included a combination of qualitative interviews with merchants and quantitative surveys of consumers and small businesses. The results indicated that despite the proliferation of real-time payment networks in Europe, customers’ expectations for instant payments are not completely satisfied.

Also, the survey also suggested that VISA Direct is well-positioned to help address this gap in customer experience and has already started to do that, allowing customers to receive funds quickly all over Europe and the world.

The research findings and insights are presented in greater detail in a thought leadership paper available for download HERE

Also available at the same link is a recording of an accompanying webinar in which Nicky Alexander (Head of Visa Direct EU) and Martin Koderisch (Principal at Edgar, Dunn and Company, London) discussed the research findings.

The content of this article does not reflect the official opinion of Edgar, Dunn & Company. The information and views expressed in this publication belong solely to the author(s).

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