Product
Instant EFT
Let customers pay directly from their bank account, instantly, securely, and without disputes. Same-day settlement, zero chargebacks.
Instant EFT is a credit-push payment method that allows customers to initiate a direct bank-to-bank payment from their own account to yours, in real time. Unlike traditional EFT transfers that require manual proof of payment or take days to clear, Instant EFT delivers confirmation to your business within seconds, enabling immediate order fulfilment and same-day settlement.
Because the customer initiates and authenticates the payment directly through their bank's secure environment, Instant EFT transactions are non-reversible by design. There are no chargebacks, no disputes, and no waiting. The payment arrives, it is confirmed, and your business can act on it immediately.
RealPay's Instant EFT is accepted across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, and integrates easily into e-commerce checkouts, payment links, and custom digital workflows. It is particularly powerful for businesses selling high-value goods or services online, where payment confirmation before fulfilment is critical, and where card processing fees and fraud risk are ongoing concerns.
What's included
Immediate Payment Confirmation
Your business receives instant notification the moment a customer's payment is successful, no waiting for proof of payment, no manual reconciliation, no delays before fulfilment.
Non-Reversible by Design
Instant EFT is a customer-initiated credit-push, the customer authenticates and sends the payment through their own bank. Once confirmed, it cannot be reversed, giving you the same finality as cash, with the security of a bank transfer.
Automated Reconciliation
Each payment is automatically matched to a unique reference number, eliminating manual reconciliation and significantly reducing human error in high-volume environments.
Seamless Checkout Experience
Customers pay directly from their bank account without needing to enter card details, upload proof of payment, or navigate complex checkout flows. Fewer steps mean fewer abandoned transactions.
Lower Transaction Fees
Instant EFT typically costs less than card payment processing, making it a financially attractive option for merchants looking to reduce their cost of accepting payments online.
Who it’s for
Instant EFT is the ideal online payment method for businesses where payment confirmation before fulfilment is non-negotiable. Key use cases include:
- E-commerce retailers selling high-value goods where card fraud is a concern
- Online service providers that need to confirm payment before activating access
- Travel, ticketing, and event businesses where inventory must be held and released quickly
- Any business looking to offer a fast, bank-authenticated alternative to card payments online
- For anyone who needs secure payment solutions
Frequently asked questions
How is Instant EFT different from a regular bank transfer?
A regular EFT transfer can take one to three business days to clear and requires the customer to upload proof of payment manually. Instant EFT confirms in seconds, and your business receives real-time notification with automated reconciliation.
Can a customer reverse an Instant EFT payment?
No. Because the customer initiates and authenticates the payment through their own bank, it is a credit-push transaction, and once confirmed, it is final and non-reversible.
Does Instant EFT expose the customer's banking credentials to the merchant?
No. The customer is redirected to their own bank's secure environment to authenticate the payment. The merchant never sees or stores any login credentials or sensitive account information.
How does Instant EFT compare to card payments for the merchant?
Instant EFT typically carries lower transaction fees and zero fraud chargeback risk for the merchant, since the transaction is bank-authenticated and non-disputable.
What is the settlement timeline for Instant EFT?
RealPay offers same-day settlement for Instant EFT transactions, depending on the time of submission. This significantly improves cash flow compared to card payments, which often settle T+1 or T+2.
Available in
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Payment flow
Integration
Included features