What is a payment rail? The roads money travels on
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
- 1Pick who to pay and type the amount
- 2Tap send and it is on its way
- 3It lands in their account
A payment rail is the network and set of rules that moves money from one account to another. Every payment, from a card tap to an international wire, travels on one or more rails.
Common payment rails
Tap to explore
Tap each one to see what it means.
Faster Payments
near-instant UK bank transfers.
Bacs
UK Direct Debits and payroll, over about three working days.
CHAPS
high-value, same-day UK payments.
SEPA
euro transfers across Europe.
SWIFT
messages between banks for international payments.
Card schemes such as Visa and Mastercard
card payments worldwide.
How they differ
Rails vary in speed, cost, which currencies they carry, how much can be sent, and whether a payment can be pulled back. A card payment can be charged back, while most bank transfers can't be reversed once sent.
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What it does
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Why fintechs care
The rails a platform connects to decide what it can offer: instant transfers, euro payments, cards or international payouts. Most new platforms reach the rails through licensed partners rather than joining each network directly.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms include GBP, EUR and USD accounts, transfers and branded Visa cards under your own brand, powered by licensed partners. SendPay tells you in writing which licences apply to your platform before you launch.
How it works
Your own money app- 1Name it and pick your colours
- 2Choose what it does
- 3Launch when you are ready
Why sign up
Create your free SendPay account
It's all about creating your own financial platform with ease. Start with a free account today.
- 🪪A free business accountOpen it in about a minute with your business name, email, password and mobile. No card and no documents to start.
- 💳Get paid from day oneTake card payments, and share your own payment link and invoices so customers pay in a click.
- 🌐A free business websiteFree to build, free to publish and free to keep, with unlimited visits.
- 🚀Your own financial platformDesign and preview your whole platform free, then launch when you are ready.
SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.
Questions people ask
Would pay by bank cost less than cards?
Compare the monthly cost of card payments with pay by bank, from your own fees.
Pay by bank savings calculator →Read next
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.