As part of the newly established PayInit AG, Cornèrcard and Viseca will develop an industry solution for worldwide P2P money transfers in the coming months. This solution allows customers of affiliated payment solution providers to send money from Swiss payment cards to other payment cards, wallets, or bank accounts worldwide. The solution utilizes the global card networks of Mastercard and Visa and their local partners, which comply with globally established standards on security and data protection. Additionally, a recipient directory (Alias Directory) will be created, enabling end customers of affiliated card issuers and mobile payment solution providers to send money directly to each other based on telephone numbers or electronic addresses.
The technology partner for the new industry solution is Opentech (www.opentech.com). Opentech specializes in digital services for the financial sector. OpenPay Send, Opentech’s platform, is designed to be open and scalable, with a clear focus on promoting interoperability between banks, card issuers, and international card and payment networks. The solution is geared towards user- friendliness, effectiveness, and customer-oriented value creation.
An industry solution for the entire sector: The new industry solution for worldwide P2P money transfers, including a recipient directory, is targeted at all Swiss card issuers and providers of mobile payment solutions. Participation and active involvement in the development of PayInit AG are welcomed but not required to use the infrastructure. Use of the service is conducted through a service contract that interested card issuers and mobile payment solution providers conclude with PayInit AG.
Alessandro Seralvo, Chief Executive Officer of Cornèrcard and member of the board of directors of PayInit AG: "With PayInit AG, we are relying on a card-based solution that is particularly easy and flexible for customers to use because it is built on existing payment cards. Money can be sent directly worldwide, regardless of whether recipients use cards, wallets, or bank accounts. As a co-founder of PayInit AG, Cornèr Bank AG contributes to creating an open industry solution that noticeably simplifies the everyday lives of users."
Michael Walther, Chief Financial Officer of Viseca and Chairman of the Board of Directors of PayInit AG: "With PayInit AG, we are laying the foundation for worldwide P2P money transfers based on Swiss payment cards. This closes an important service gap in the Swiss payment card market and opens new opportunities for the entire Swiss sector in terms of modern, cross-border direct transfers between persons."
Stefan Brunner, Chief Product Officer of Viseca: "Thanks to the combination of worldwide payment initiation for direct transfers between individuals and the comprehensive, scheme-compliant recipient directory of PayInit AG, all cardholders benefit from an unparalleled user experience. The innovative solution is open to all card issuers, and we look forward to shaping the future of digital payments in Switzerland together with the entire industry."
Stefano Andreani, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Opentech: "The mission of PayInit AG aligns perfectly with Opentech’s core values: making payments more accessible, interoperable, and easier. As a technological innovator through the OpenPay Send platform, Opentech supports another initiative that once again demonstrates the Swiss financial sector’s role as a global leader and creates genuine added value for all involved."
The launch of the new industry solution for P2P money transfers is planned for the end of 2026.
Cornèr Bank AG and Viseca Payment Services SA will provide further information in due course.
About PayInit AG: PayInit AG is a special- purpose entity founded by Cornèr Bank AG and Viseca Payment Services SA to develop an open infrastructure for worldwide P2P money transfers based on Swiss payment cards. The solution connects the global networks of Mastercard and Visa with a modern recipient directory. It is open to all Swiss card issuers and providers of mobile payment solutions who wish to offer their customers simple, secure, and global direct transfers.
About Viseca - Swiss Cashless Competence: Viseca is a leading provider of products and services in the field of cashless payments. This includes the issuance of payment cards (Viseca Card Services SA) and the provision of services around card business for issuers (Viseca Payment Services SA). In 2025, Viseca’s turnover was CHF 536.4 million, and the group result was CHF 139.7 million. Viseca is owned by the largest Swiss cantonal and retail banks, including all cantonal banks, the Raiffeisen Group, Entris Banking, Migros Bank, Bank Cler, regional banks, as well as private and commercial banks.
About Opentech: Opentech (www.opentech.com) is a service provider supporting banks, card issuers, and regulated financial institutions in their digital transformation. Founded in 2003, the company has over two decades of experience in the payments and financial services sector. Opentech develops secure and scalable full-stack platforms used by leading institutions in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. With certifications such as PCI DSS Level 1, PCI 3DS, ISO 27001, and ISO 9001, the company ensures compliance with the highest standards in security, quality, and governance, enabling technological infrastructures to optimally support the rapidly evolving payment ecosystem. For financial institutions seeking innovation without technological dependencies, Opentech combines evident innovation power with open and flexible architectures, designed to grow alongside the strategic ambitions of their clients.
Press Contact: Cornèr Group, Eva Maria Cioffi, Head of Corporate Communication,
media@corner.ch
Viseca Payment Services, Nicolas Kurcera, Head of Communications, media@viseca.ch
Opentech, Alessandro Borghini, Head of Communications, pr@opentech.com