2012 Annual Report: improved availability of debit card payment chain

30 June 2013

Cover of the 2012 annual report of the Dutch Payments Association with abstract blue shapes and a calm, businesslike appearance.

Continued focus on preventing disruptions pays off

In its first annual report since its establishment, the Dutch Payments Association reports that no major disruptions occurred in debit card payments in 2012. The CONNECT reporting and information system helps parties in the payment chain inform one another quickly and promptly about disruptions.

Improved availability of the payment chain

A disruption to debit card payments affects society, as everyone is accustomed to being able to use their debit card anywhere and at any time. The underlying systems must therefore always be available. In its first annual report, the Dutch Payments Association says the availability of the debit card payment chain improved in 2012 as a result of several measures. Requirements for certified network services were strengthened, data communications providers were required to participate in CONNECT, and procedures for using CONNECT were tightened. CONNECT helps identify the location of a disruption in the chain more quickly so that it can be resolved sooner, while also enabling the market to receive consistent information about the nature and duration of the disruption. equensWorldline SE, which processes a large proportion of debit card payments, also made important system improvements in 2012, further strengthening the robustness of the payment chain. Together, these measures delivered greater reliability and stability, and no major disruptions occurred in 2012.

Significant potential for FiNBOX

The eventual disappearance of Acceptgiro offers consumers and creditors an excellent opportunity to switch to FiNBOX. FiNBOX delivers invoices directly and securely to the consumer’s online banking environment. Creditors can streamline invoice collection without using paper. For consumers, FiNBOX also removes a concern: they no longer need to type long IBANs into online banking because the creditor has already entered the number. FiNBOX use rose in 2012, although absolute volumes remained modest, with 2.5 million documents sent through the service.

Skimming fraud

In 2012, the Dutch Payments Association and market participants decided to take measures preventing skimming equipment from being installed on payment terminals at unattended petrol stations. Banks also took substantial measures on other fronts to prevent skimming losses. All major banks have now introduced blocking of debit card use outside Europe by default, which customers can reverse on request, and banks continually improve their fraud detection systems. It also remains important for every party in the parking sector to maintain a strong focus on adequate measures to prevent skimming.

Download the full Dutch Payments Association Annual Report 2012 (PDF).