- Brite Payments research reveals 72% of UK consumers say it matters that their payments are handled by a UK or European provider, with keeping their financial data under UK and European privacy law the main reason (46%)
- It also finds four in 10 (40%) now often or regularly pay directly from their bank account at checkout, level with credit cards (41%)
- Half (50%) cite security as a reason they’d choose Pay by Bank, ahead of avoiding extra fees (37%)
London, 4 November 2026: Seven in 10 (72%) UK consumers say it matters to them that their payments are handled by a UK or European provider, according to new research from Brite Payments, a leading European Pay by Bank provider. The latest findings from Brite’s Online Payments Report 2027: UK take a deeper look at how UK consumers choose to pay online and who they trust with their financial data.
Consumers’ preference for a UK or European provider is driven mainly by data protection, cited by 46% of those who want their personal financial data kept under UK and European privacy law. That’s ahead of protection from foreign political disputes or sanctions (22%), concern about foreign control of financial systems (17%) and keeping transaction fees in the UK and European economy (14%).
Consumers are also changing how they pay. Four in 10 (40%) now often or regularly pay directly from their bank account when shopping online, almost exactly the same share as those who regularly pay by credit card (41%). 62% do so at least sometimes, and only 18% say they never have. Security is the main draw, with half (50%) citing it as a reason they would choose Pay by Bank, ahead of avoiding extra fees (37%).
“People choose how to pay based on convenience and trust. Consumers want their financial data protected under UK and European privacy law, and they’re paying closer attention to where their money and data go when they click pay,” said Lena Hackelöer, Founder & CEO, Brite Payments.
“Paying directly from a bank account is now almost as common as using a credit card, and for merchants, that presents a tangible opportunity to offer a payment method that benefits both themselves and consumers in terms of privacy, convenience, and speed.
“Cards will always have a place at the checkout, but UK consumers can now have a real choice in how they pay. The next step is making Pay by Bank as easy to find at checkout as it is to use.”
For more key insights, read the Online Payments Report 2027: UK now, or visit britepayments.com to learn more about Brite.
About Brite Payments
Founded in 2019, Brite Payments is a leading fintech in instant account-to-account payments (Pay by Bank), supporting payment sovereignty across Europe. With connections to over 3,800 banks, Brite Payments enables consumers to pay directly from their bank accounts in real time.
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and with offices in London, Málaga, and Malta, Brite Payments operates across 27 European markets, utilising local payment rails, open banking, and its own proprietary infrastructure, Brite Instant Payments Network (IPN).
Methodology
Research conducted by Appinio on behalf of Brite Payments. The quantitative study surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults (evenly balanced by gender; average age 42.9) between 29 August – 1 September and 1 September 2026 – 2 September 2026.
Figures in this press release combine “often” and “regularly” responses and are self-reported. “Paying directly from a bank account” covers Pay by Bank and direct bank transfer at checkout.
