TrueLayer has acquired Dutch fintech in3 in a move that expands its Pay by Bank network beyond instant debit payments and into consumer credit. The acquisition positions the London-based company to offer shoppers a single checkout experience where they can either pay immediately from their bank account or spread payments over time. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and in3 will continue operating from the Netherlands as its products are integrated into TrueLayer’s platform.
TrueLayer Expands Pay by Bank Into Credit
The transaction marks a significant step for the Pay by Bank sector, which has largely focused on real-time account-to-account debit payments until now. By adding in3’s consumer credit capabilities, TrueLayer says it can provide both debit and credit options without relying on traditional card infrastructure. Its first credit product will be Buy Now Pay Later, with longer-term credit offerings expected to follow later this year.
A Different Model for BNPL
Founded in the Netherlands, in3 has built a Buy Now Pay Later model designed around bank payments rather than card rails. The company serves millions of consumers and thousands of merchants, positioning itself as a fairer and more transparent alternative to conventional BNPL providers. Its approach is based on account-to-account payment flows, with a focus on clear pricing and the absence of hidden or unfair fees.
Challenging Card Network Dependence
TrueLayer said the deal comes as merchants and policymakers pay closer attention to Europe’s reliance on US-owned payment infrastructure. The company cited the dominance of US card networks in UK and European card transactions as one reason for building a broader regional alternative. It argues that a Pay by Bank network capable of supporting both immediate payment and credit could reduce dependence on card-based checkout systems.
Merchant and Consumer Benefits
For consumers, the combined offering is intended to simplify checkout by placing instant payment and flexible credit within the same bank-based experience. For merchants, TrueLayer says the model can improve conversion rates, increase average order values, and reduce the complexity associated with card-based credit products. The company also argues that bank-authenticated payments can help reduce chargeback-related fraud while enabling faster settlement and more direct control over the customer relationship.
Scale and Integration
TrueLayer’s network already operates across 22 countries and processes more than $150 billion in annualised payment volume. The company says its access to real-time financial data and payment intelligence can support faster credit decisions, smoother merchant onboarding, and more transparent pricing. The acquisition also follows TrueLayer’s purchase of Swedish paytech Zimpler in October 2025, reflecting ongoing consolidation across Europe’s fintech market.
Regulatory Context
The deal is being completed ahead of new UK rules for the deferred payment credit sector, with the first phase of Financial Conduct Authority regulation due to take effect on 15 July 2026. That timing gives added relevance to TrueLayer’s emphasis on transparent credit and bank-based payment authentication. As regulators increase scrutiny of BNPL products, providers are under growing pressure to demonstrate responsible lending practices and clearer consumer protections.
The acquisition of in3 gives TrueLayer a stronger position in the evolving European checkout market by combining instant Pay by Bank payments with flexible consumer credit. It also broadens the company’s challenge to card networks by extending its account-to-account model into a category historically tied to cards and third-party finance providers. As in3’s technology is folded into TrueLayer’s platform, the company is betting that merchants and consumers will increasingly choose bank-based payments as a mainstream alternative at checkout.