Visa, Kroo, Utilita and Tink have completed the UK’s first A2A cVRP transaction, demonstrating a new model for recurring payments and consumer protections. In essence, the transaction was conducted to show how an energy bill could be settled directly from a bank account using the model’s standards and protections.
The demonstration is a part of Visa’s wider plan to establish a market-ready A2A solution built on Open Banking principles. The model introduces a set of operating rules intended to support recurring payments, including dispute processes and consumer safeguards similar to those found in card payments. Visa’s research indicates that a notable share of UK consumers would consider using a new method for paying bills, suggesting an appetite for alternatives to Direct Debit.
Development of a new A2A framework
In this initial transaction, Tink acted as the payment initiator, conducting balance checks and triggering the flow. The payment was then authorised through Kroo Bank and sent via the Faster Payments network. Visa coordinated the process through its A2A infrastructure, while Utilita used its app to create the mandate for both top-ups and off-session billing.
Representatives from Visa said the completion of the test transaction signals a shift in how recurring payments may be handled, noting that the model aims to provide clearer visibility, faster settlement and more consistent protections for both sides of a transaction. Officials from Kroo, Tink and Utilita added that the initiative offers a way to modernise recurring payments by improving speed, safety and user control compared with longstanding methods.
Visa expects to expand the use of A2A beyond utilities and subscriptions, with future plans including support for ecommerce transactions. The rollout is intended to align with the UK’s general ambitions to encourage more secure and flexible payment options as part of an updated national payments landscape.
