Visa has completed the first commercial Variable Recurring Payment (cVRP) transaction using its account-to-account (A2A) solution in the UK. Partners Kroo Bank, Utilita, and Tink participated in this landmark payment on 19 November 2025, representing a significant development for recurring payments. The new Visa A2A service is designed to deliver instant confirmation, faster settlement, and familiar card protections to bank-to-bank transactions—features not previously available for recurring A2A payments in the UK market.
According to Visa, 60% of UK consumers say they are likely to try new ways to pay bills, indicating strong demand for open banking-driven solutions. The launch of Visa’s market-ready cVRP service is viewed by analysts as a foundation for broader adoption of secure, transparent recurring payments across the UK.
- Milestone: First UK commercial cVRP powered by Visa A2A with Kroo Bank, Utilita, and Tink
- Consumer benefit: Enhanced control, transparency, and card-like protection for bill payments
- Merchant benefit: Faster settlement and improved cash flow
Mark Wilcocks, VP Head of Product & Solutions at Visa UK & Ireland, commented: “Today marks a major milestone in UK payments innovation with the first commercial Variable Recurring Payment transaction powered by Visa A2A. This breakthrough demonstrates how industry collaboration is transforming the way consumers and businesses manage recurring payments. For consumers, it means greater control, transparency, and security when paying bills – no more surprises or delays.”
Kroo Bank’s Chief Product Officer, Danny Haynes, added: “By making recurring payments faster, safer, and more transparent, we’re giving people and businesses real-time control over their finances. This marks the next evolution for recurrent payments—the beginning of a new era in everyday banking, and we’re proud to be leading the way.”
The cVRP service leverages open banking to allow consumers to authorise merchants for variable payments directly from their bank accounts, with protections comparable to those typically associated with cards. This approach aims to address common withdrawal issues and supports the need for convenience and security, highlighted by recent UK consumer research.
| Feature | Benefit for Consumers | Benefit for Merchants |
|---|---|---|
| Instant Confirmation | No processing delays | Faster cash flow |
| Card-Level Protections | Increased security & transparency | Trusted payment experience |
| Open Banking Integration | Greater payment flexibility | Reduced reliance on card schemes |
This development is expected to accelerate the rollout of cVRP solutions across the UK, supporting both consumer choice and merchant efficiency. More information on this announcement can be found in Visa’s official press release.
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