finAPI offers its own VoP solution as a service for banks and third-party providers (TPP)

Since October, 9th 2025, a new requirement applies across the EU: before any transfer is executed, the name of the payee must be checked against the IBAN provided. This so-called Verification of Payee (VoP) ensures that transfers are sent to the correct recipient, prevents typos and significantly reduces fraud attempts such as APP fraud.

VoP is therefore more than just a technical requirement – it increases security, trust and transparency in payments. Payment service providers and banks must adapt their systems accordingly to perform the IBAN-name check before a payment is authorised.

finAPI has developed its own VoP Service to take over this verification for non-licensed customers as a payment initiation service provider. Customers who use finAPI’s PSD2 licence and web form therefore automatically benefit from VoP checks carried out by finAPI. In addition, finAPI also offers the VoP Service to licensed banks and payment service providers without their own VoP solution.

How does Verification of Payee work?

Before a SEPA transfer is executed, the specified payee name is checked against the name registered with the payee’s bank for the given IBAN. If the data matches, the customer sees a “Match” and can proceed confidently with the payment. If the details differ, the payer receives a corresponding message (“Close Match” or “No Match”). The decision to proceed with the payment always lies with the payer, who can authorise it, cancel it, or correct the details and resubmit.
This makes it possible to detect input errors and manipulation before money is sent. Particularly in cases of so-called Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where consumers are tricked into sending money to a fraudulent account, VoP offers additional protection.

What companies should consider to prevent a “No Match”

For payers, the result of the payee check is not always clear – especially when the entered name seems plausible but does not exactly match the account holder’s name. In such cases, a “No Match” may occur even though the payment is correct.

Typical practical examples without a clear “Match”

Avoid uncertainty and payment cancellations

Companies should therefore ensure that they state the actual account holder’s name on invoices and payment requests to avoid unnecessary queries and cancelled payments.

Affected businesses can also check with their bank to see if it offers so-called aliases, allowing multiple names to be registered to enable a “Match.”

Alternatively, they can include a QR code on invoices containing all payment details. Customers simply scan the QR code to make the transfer as usual. This avoids typos and ensures the VoP check reliably returns a “Match”.

Regulatory obligation for all payment service providers

All payment service providers in the SEPA area will be required to perform a Verification of Payee before executing a transfer. This means that not only banks, but also payment service providers like finAPI, must check whether the recipient’s name matches the provided IBAN. For consumers, this creates greater transparency and security, while for companies it introduces an additional challenge in terms of technical implementation.

Why finAPI relies on its own VoP solution – for itself and as an offer for banks and TPPs

Many providers use external routing and verification services for VoP. finAPI deliberately takes a different approach and has developed the VoP functionality entirely in-house.

“We deliberately rely on an in-house development for VoP in order to retain control over quality, potential further developments and operating costs,” says Sven Wackermann, Head of Product Management at finAPI. “This is a strategic move to safeguard our independence and technological sovereignty. At the same time, we are opening our VoP solution to the market: for banks and third-party providers seeking an external solution, we offer a reliable, easily integrable VoP Service – made by finAPI.”
Sven Wackermann
Head of Product Management

Qualified as an RVM provider in the VoP scheme

finAPI has successfully registered and qualified as a Routing and/or Verification Mechanism (RVM) provider with the European Payments Council (EPC) under the VoP scheme.

This is a prerequisite for acting as a recognised provider of routing and verification mechanisms under the new Instant Payments Regulation. The EPC serves as the central organisation for European payment standardisation and only grants approval to providers that have demonstrated their technical capability, security and interoperability.

Conclusion: Secure payee verification as a VoP Service for banks and TPPs

With its self-developed VoP Service, finAPI offers banks and third-party providers an easily integrable and regulatory-compliant way to implement payee verification in accordance with EU regulations. Instead of undertaking a complex in-house development, customers benefit from a reliable service that meets the highest standards of quality, performance and security – in short: VoP-ready with finAPI.

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