PayPoint and Thirteen Group agree open banking partnership

Housing association Thirteen Group has become the first social landlord across England and Wales to introduce Open Banking payments as part of a partnership with PayPoint.

The partnership between PayPoint and Thirteen was first established in June 2024. At the core of the partnership is ensuring customers have more control, more choice and a simpler way to manage their money.

The first year of the partnership saw the introduction of a range of additional payment channels, including PayByLink, which enables Thirteen staff to send pre-populated payment request links via SMS to customers.

Since the app’s launch, Thirteen has seen cash transactions reduce by 14%, demonstrating a customer preference for the convenience of self-service tools. The app also enables barcode generation to support transactions at over 30,000 PayPoint stores nationwide, allowing Thirteen to move away from expensive, plastic rent cards.

Jo Toolan, Managing Director of Payments and Banking at PayPoint, said “The expansion of our open banking technology into the housing sector showcases the flexibility and diverse applications of our technology, and marks a strategic milestone for PayPoint. It’s a very exciting moment for us and exemplifies our commitment to leveraging technology to improve service delivery and support digital transformation across sectors.”

Rob Thompson, Strategic Lead for Rent and Income Services at Thirteen, said “Working with PayPoint has allowed us to elevate our payment solutions, providing residents with more accessible and modernised options. The integration of Open Banking is the next step in this partnership, which will offer a smooth and secure payment experience for our residents. This advancement will streamline our operations and ultimately enable us to deliver more efficient services to our community.”