The Rise of Swish (payment) in Sweden's Digital Market

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Swish (payment) has taken the digital market in Sweden by storm, and it's not hard to see why. It's a mobile payment system that allows users to transfer money between friends, family, and even businesses with just a few taps on their phone.

In 2013, Swish was launched by six major Swedish banks, including Nordea, Handelsbanken, SEB, Danske Bank, Swedbank, and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. Today, it's the most widely used mobile payment service in Sweden.

With Swish, users can make payments of up to 1,000 SEK (approximately $110 USD) without a card or cash.

What Is Swish?

Swish is a Swedish mobile payment system that has more than 8 million users. It functions similarly to MobilePay online in Denmark, making it a widespread payment method in Sweden.

Swish is owned by the largest banks in Sweden, using account-to-account payments. This ensures a secure and trusted transaction process.

The payment system allows shoppers to accept online payments in-app, making it an attractive option for businesses in Sweden. By offering Swish as an online payment option, businesses can become more attractive to customers in Sweden.

To use Swish, users need to have a Swish account with a Swedish bank account as a funding source. This is a requirement for making payments with Swish.

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Getting Started

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To get started with Swish, you'll need to have a Swish agreement with your housing bank. This is a necessary step before enabling Swish.

Setting up a Swish account is a quick process that takes only a few minutes. Once you've got your account set up, your customers can start making payments right away.

If you want to customize your payment options and get the best results for your organization, it's a good idea to reach out to Nordea for guidance.

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Getting Started

To get started with Swish, you'll need a Swish agreement with your housing bank. This is a crucial step to take before enabling Swish.

Setting up a Swish account is a quick process that only takes a few minutes. Your customers can then start making payments straight away.

If you want to customize your payment options and get the best results for your organization, it's a good idea to reach out to Nordea.

How Was Born

Detailed view of PayPal app icon on a smartphone screen highlighting mobile payment technology.
Credit: pexels.com, Detailed view of PayPal app icon on a smartphone screen highlighting mobile payment technology.

Swish was born out of a need for a fast and easy way for people in Sweden to pay each other.

The Swedish Bankers Association formed a mobile payments working group, which included Garpås, to tackle this problem.

The group discussed how people in Sweden were struggling to find a simple way to settle bills with friends.

Swish was launched in 2012 as a mobile app developed by Nordea and five other banks in cooperation with Bankgirot.

The app allowed two individuals to pay each other, regardless of which bank they were with, in a secure and convenient way.

By 2014, Swish had expanded to work for businesses, as companies saw the convenience it offered and wanted to tap into it.

Swish's success was swift, with people realising the benefits of the app as soon as it launched.

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Features and Functionalities

Swish offers a range of functionalities that make it a reliable payment method.

You can accept payments through Swish by using Checkout, Pay by Link, or Verifone's eComm API.

Swish supports a variety of payment operations, including refunds, partial refunds, and direct charges.

Here are some of the key payment operations supported by Swish:

Swish is primarily designed for B2C (business-to-consumer) transactions, and it's not suitable for B2B (business-to-business) transactions.

How It Works

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Swish works similarly to Mobilepay Online in Denmark, making it easy for customers to pay via mobile with a safe and simple mobile payment.

To use Swish as a payment method, both you and your customer need a Swedish bank account.

The payment flow with Swish is streamlined, allowing funds to be transferred directly to your account without going through an intermediate step.

Recurring payments, or subscriptions, are not supported by Swish.

By configuring the payment.checkout.completed webhook, you can receive a notification from Checkout after the checkout process is completed.

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Functionalities

Swish is a mobile payment method that's widely used in Sweden, and it's integrated with Verifone Central and the Verifone eComm API. You can use Swish to accept payments from your customers.

Swish supports automatic capture, refund, and cancellation of payments. This means that if there are any issues with the sale or the system, the payment will be automatically cancelled or refunded.

Overhead view of a cashless transaction at a retail counter with mobile payment technology and eco-friendly products.
Credit: pexels.com, Overhead view of a cashless transaction at a retail counter with mobile payment technology and eco-friendly products.

Here are some of the key functionalities of Swish:

You can also use Swish to perform other payment actions, such as capturing authorizations and canceling captures. However, some payment actions are not supported, like direct charge and IPSP.

If you're interested in using Swish as a payment method, you'll need to have a Swedish bank account, just like your customers do. This will ensure a smooth and secure payment experience for everyone involved.

Integrate Payment Method

To accept payments through Swish, you can use three different methods: Checkout (Hosted Payments Page - HPP), Pay by Link, or Verifone's eComm API (payment modification only).

To activate Swish as a payment method, you need to complete the onboarding journey. This will add it to your Checkout portal.

The payment flow with Swish is direct, transferring funds from the transaction to your account without going through an intermediate step.

You can keep track of these transactions by configuring the payment.checkout.completed webhook. This will send a notification from Checkout after the checkout process is completed.

Here are the three methods you can use to accept payments through Swish:

  1. Checkout (Hosted Payments Page - HPP)
  2. Pay by Link
  3. Verifone's eComm API (payment modification only)

The Rapid Rise

A Person Using Mobile Phone to Pay Cashless
Credit: pexels.com, A Person Using Mobile Phone to Pay Cashless

Swish has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, now having over 6.9 million users in Sweden.

It's impressive to think that Swish has reached almost every demographic in society, from children to grandparents.

In less than a decade, Swish has become a staple in daily life for many Swedes, with the verb "swisha" becoming common slang for using the app.

This widespread adoption is a testament to Swish's ability to appeal to people of all ages, not just tech-savvy younger audiences.

Swish has managed to become a normal part of life in Sweden, with Garpås noting that it's "everywhere" in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use Swish outside of Sweden?

You can use Swish outside of Sweden, but be aware of potential additional data traffic costs. Check our terms for more information on international usage.

Can I use Swish without a Swedish bank account?

No, you need a Swedish bank account to use Swish. Learn more about Swish's requirements and how to get started with mobile payments.

Teri Little

Writer

Teri Little is a seasoned writer with a passion for delivering insightful and engaging content to readers worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Teri has established herself as a trusted voice in the realm of financial markets news. Her articles have been featured in various publications, offering readers a unique perspective on market trends, economic analysis, and industry insights.

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