Max Wolke - Brite Payments - MPE 2023

Why It Matters

Brite’s DACH expansion gives European merchants a cheaper, instant‑bank alternative, accelerating the shift away from card‑centric payments and enhancing consumer control over finances.

Key Takeaways

• Brite Payments expands into Germany, Austria, Switzerland with new team
• Consumer shift from credit cards to bank‑account instant payments
• Rising card fees drive merchants toward cheaper Brite payment solutions
• Brite targets e‑commerce refunds, online trading, travel use cases
• PSD2 regulation fuels innovation among third‑party payment providers

Summary

Max Wolke, head of Brite Payments’ DACH region, announced the company’s recent launch in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, marking its first physical presence in the market. Brite, an instant‑payments platform operating in 24 European countries, is building a local team while pursuing new merchant contracts.

Wolke highlighted a broader shift in consumer expectations: credit‑card usage is declining in favor of buy‑now‑pay‑later and, crucially, pay‑by‑bank solutions that promise instant, frictionless transactions. He noted that rising card‑interchange fees are pushing merchants to seek more economical alternatives, and that PSD2 regulation is spurring innovation among third‑party providers.

Specific use cases were cited, including rapid funding for online‑trading accounts, instant e‑commerce refunds, and travel‑related payments. At the MPE 2023 Startup Innovation Hub, Brite delivered a seven‑minute pitch that emphasized its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing merchant infrastructures, earning a spot on the shortlist.

If Brite successfully scales its DACH operations, it could accelerate the adoption of bank‑account payments across Europe, offering lower‑cost processing and faster settlement for merchants and consumers alike, thereby reshaping the continent’s payments landscape.

Original Description

Over at MPE 2023, the FF News team sat down for a conversation with Max Wolke, the Head of DACH at Brite Payments. Brite Payments is a leading open banking powered account-to-account payment provider of instant payments and instant payouts.

“There’s been a general shift in the payment mix. So, a bit out of credit cards and into buy-now-pay-later. Now, I think there’s an inflexion point where we’re going to see pay-by-bank or accounts payments really take off. I think that there are a few reasons behind that.”

“Consumers want to be more in control of their finances, but they’ve not been using direct pay-by-bank methods because they’ve not been seen as instant or frictionless. That’s now changing with the advent of companies like Brite. I also think the main benefit is for merchants who are wanting to find economical means of processing payments. With card fees going up and stuff, I think it’s the right moment.”