Some customers want to pay by card first. Now you can let them, without adding complexity to your payment setup.
Not every customer is ready to set up a Direct Debit from day one. Some want to pay a one-off deposit by card before committing to a regular collection. Others simply prefer the flexibility of paying by card for certain transactions.
Without a card payment option, you’re asking those customers to wait or walk away. That’s revenue left on the table before the relationship has even started.
London & Zurich’s credit card payment gateway fits alongside your existing Direct Debit setup, so you can offer the best of both worlds. One provider, one relationship, no awkward gaps in your payment journey.
How it works alongside your Direct Debit service
Adding a card payment gateway through London & Zurich is straightforward. It’s designed to complement your recurring collections, not complicate them.
A typical workflow looks like this:
- One-off card payment first. A customer pays a deposit or setup fee by credit or debit card, completing a secure transaction through your hosted payment gateway
- Direct Debit takes over. Once the initial card payment is confirmed, the customer moves seamlessly onto a Direct Debit mandate for ongoing collections
- Everything in one place. Both payment types are managed through your London & Zurich portal, giving you full visibility without jumping between platforms
- Real people on hand. If anything needs clarifying, for you or your customer, our team is at the end of the phone
What’s included
Security and compliance built in
- PCI DSS Level 1 compliant. The highest standard available for card payment processing
- 3D Secure authentication to protect against fraud
- Hosted payment pages, so sensitive card data never touches your systems
- Virtual terminal access for phone and mail order payments
Flexibility for your business
- Accept all major credit and debit cards
- Customisable hosted payment pages, branded to your business
- Supports one-off payments, deposits and card-on-file for future use
- Fast settlement directly into your nominated account
PCI compliant card processing, handled for you
Card payment security isn’t optional and getting it wrong is expensive. London & Zurich’s gateway is certified to PCI DSS Level 1, the highest level of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), meaning every transaction is processed to the strictest security requirements.
Because we use hosted payment pages, cardholder data never passes through your own systems, which significantly reduces your compliance burden.
Find out more about how we keep your payments secure.
Your questions, answered
Can I use a card payment gateway even if I already collect by Direct Debit?
Yes, that’s exactly what it’s designed for. Our card payment gateway is an add-on to your Direct Debit service, not a replacement. Many of our clients use both: card payments for one-off or upfront transactions, Direct Debit for everything that repeats.
How quickly do card payments settle into our account?
Settlement times vary depending on your setup, but funds typically reach your account within one to three working days. We’ll talk you through the specifics during onboarding.
Do we need our own merchant account?
Yes, you’ll need a merchant account to accept card payments. If you don’t already have one, speak to our team. We can point you in the right direction and make sure everything integrates smoothly with your Direct Debit setup.
