Introduction
Starting from July 1, a significant shift will affect how customers with credit cards from prominent banks like HDFC Bank and Axis Bank manage their bill payments. Due to regulatory changes, third-party applications such as CRED, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, and Paytm will no longer be options for paying credit card bills. This move stems from the integration issues of these apps with the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), overseen by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This is a major setback for these platforms.
Why the Change?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its recent update made it mandatory that all credit card payments be processed through the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) starting July 1, 2024. This directive aims to streamline and secure credit card bill payments across India. Consequently, fintech companies like CRED, PhonePe, and BillDesk are preparing for substantial disruptions.
According to a June 2024 report by The Economic Times, HDFC Bank, with 20 million credit cards, and Axis Bank, with 14 million, have yet to integrate with BBPS. Therefore, non-compliant platforms will no longer handle credit card payments for these banks or any BBPS member platforms, leading to concerns about a significant decline in transaction volumes for fintech companies.
Payment Options for Credit Cardholders
Credit cardholders now have three primary options for paying their monthly bills:
- Auto-debit requirements: Setting up automatic payments through their bank accounts.
- NEFT/IMPS: Using the bank’s net banking services to transfer funds to pay the credit card bills.
- Direct bank platforms: Using the banks’ official apps or websites.
Third-party application usage will cease after June 30, while the first two modes will remain operational.
Bharat Bill Payments System: Live Banks
As of July 3, 2024, the following banks are live on the BBPS for credit card payments:
- AU Small Finance Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Canara Bank
- Federal Bank
- ICICI Bank
- IDBI Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Saraswat Bank
Banks Still Working on Integration:
- Axis Bank
- HDFC Bank
- IDFC First Bank
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- YES Bank
Understanding the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)
The Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) is an RBI-mandated system providing integrated and interoperable bill payment services across India. It ensures certainty, reliability, and safety in transactions.
Conclusion
The new credit card bill payment regulations mark a significant transition in how customers manage their finances. While this may initially inconvenience some users, the integration of all banks into the Bharat Bill Payment System promises a more secure and streamlined bill payment process in the long run.
Source: Economic Times
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