In response to the announcement Hannah Nixon, Managing Director of the Payment Systems Regulator, says:
“Today’s announcement is very welcome news. It was the work of the Payments Strategy Forum, set up by the PSR, which identified the opportunity presented by the consolidation of the three operators.
“The CMA’s timely decision is a key milestone to ensure delivery of the New Payments Systems Operator (NPSO) by the end of 2017. The consolidation should support one of the PSR’s key requirements to support increased choice of access and to develop common participation models and rules. This should make it easier for banks, fintechs, and other payment service providers to enter the market and compete effectively.
“The consolidation is also an important first step towards a generational change in UK payments. It can help facilitate the safe and secure transition to, and management of, a New Payments Architecture (NPA), which we believe could deliver more dynamic competition and innovation in payments. Consumers will also benefit from new entrants coming into the market and offering users of payment services new, innovative products.”