Premiere: National Bank of Romania authorized the first local fintech as a third party payment provider (TPP)

Smart Fintech obtains the authorization for SmartPay – the first payment initiation service in Romania accredited by NBR under the European initiative PSD2. The start-up went through a complex authorization process carried out in the last nine months. At least two other Romanian fintechs are in the process of obtaining a license to become a payment institution: Finqware and Netopia Payments.

Smart Fintech announced today that they have officially received the authorization from NBR (National Bank of Romania), the regulatory authority, as a Payment Institution authorized to perform Payment Initiation Services (PIS). Thus, the start-up becomes the first open banking third-party provider (TPP) licensed in Romania.

Smart Fintech is officially listed in the Payment Institutions Register held by the NBR and in the Register of payment and electronic money institutions under PSD2 of the European Banking Authority as a Payment Initiation Service Provider (PISP), with no. IP-RO-0011/02.04.2021.

„We are thrilled and proud to receive the authorization from NBR. It required a significant amount of effort from our side, but with a precious outcome: not only we’ve got the license we needed to become an active TPP in Romania, but the whole process made us analyze in-depth and in perspective all facets of our fintech’s future activities and, thus, we have managed to define a sound and solid framework for our business”, states Mihaela Georgescu, Co-founder of Smart Fintech.

The start-up went through a complex authorization process carried out in the last nine months, which required several stages, with rigorous analysis and extensive documentation of internal operations, to meet the rules set by the regulatory authority.

„I realized this is, actually, an essential exercise for any company with a new product or service, especially in the financial area. At the same time, I honestly say that I don’t know if we – or anybody else, had done that at the very beginning, by themselves, if not explicitly required in the authorization process. Thus, there might be a general opinion that the regulatory authority has set a high barrier for the players who want to benefit from PSD2. At the same time, I must say that – going through with the authorization process, we’ve come to understand the reason for all those „many” requirements and that was really eye-opening”, adds Mihaela Georgescu.

SmartPay is the fintech’s first Romanian authorized payment initiation service. It can be used either as an alternative to any online payment method (eCommerce payments, online bill payments etc.) or as a payment accelerator – integrated into any app managing financial resources (such as electronic invoicing, ERP, payroll, or personal finance management). Smart Fintech created SmartPay based on the Revised Payment Services Directive (known as PSD2).

The technology solution promises more transparency and speed in the online payments process. Beyond ease of integration and use, security is another fundamental principle that has underpinned its development. The security policy implemented ensures that partners and their customers are protected against payment risks, in particular against the risk of fraud and the illegal use of sensitive online payment data.

The ambition and commitment of Smart Fintech are to grow SmartPay to become an awesome online payment alternative and to create a frictionless and secure alternative to traditional payments.

„The first local TPP license is a remarkable achievement, not only for Smart Fintech but for an entire fintech ecosystem having as mission the delivery of a new generation of financial products, services and experiences. It’s officially, Romania is on the open banking map now”, states Ana Maria Georgescu, Sales & Marketing Manager Smart Fintech.