TWINT explained

Twint AG
Type:Joint-stock company
Predecessor:Monexio AG
Founded: in Zurich, Switzerland
Hq Location City:Zurich
Hq Location Country:Switzerland
Key People:Markus Kilb (CEO)
Services:Mobile payment

Twint is a Swiss mobile payment app whose development began in 2014, and was rolled out nation-wide in 2017. In 2024, Twint has become ubiquitous in Switzerland, with practically all stores accepting Twint payments, and nearly all banks taking part in the payment system. The app has first been developed by the company Monexio, a subsidiary wholly owned by PostFinance.

The first banks that cooperated in Twint were the Berner Kantonalbank and Valiant Bank (2015), and in 2016, the Basler Kantonalbank and Bank Cler, the then-time Coop Bank, followed.

Twint had approximately five million users at the begin of 2023,[1] while the adult population of Switzerland numbered seven million at the same time.

Company

History

Monexio AG was founded in July 2014 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PostFinance. PostFinance Executive Board member Thierry Kneissler was appointed CEO, while Hansruedi Köng, CEO of PostFinance, became Chairman of the Board of Directors. The company became operational in August 2014.[2] The pre-launch of Twint took place from 6 August 2015, starting in the cities of Bern and Zurich.[3] The national rollout began on 3 November 2015.[4] [5]

Function

Each Twint account is connected a mobile phone number, a bank account, or both.

Payments to other Twint usersWhen making a payment to a private Twint user, the payer selects the receiver's contact in the app, and specifies the sum. A receiver can also request a sum from a mobile phone contact if that person is also using the Twint app.[6]
Payment in storesPayment when making purchases can happen in two ways:

Specifically the latter method has allowed many small stores to be integrated into cashless money transfer, e.g. mountain huts, club restaurants at sports matches, and second-hand shops, without having to invest in credit card terminals.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Das einst belächelte Twint hat über 5 Millionen User – wichtiger ist aber eine andere Zahl . 2023-02-23 . 2024-07-04 . Watson . de . The once ridiculed Twint has over 5 million users – but another number is more important.
  2. News: Gerber . Samuel . 13 August 2014 . Postfinance gründet Tech-Start-Up . 12 July 2024 . . de-CH.
  3. News: 6 August 2015 . Twint startet in der Schweiz . 12 July 2024 . Swiss IT Reseller . de.
  4. News: 3 November 2015 . Postfinance-Bezahl-App Twint schweizweit gestartet . 12 July 2024 . . de-CH.
  5. News: Pöschl . Fabian . 3 November 2015 . Twint ist da . 12 July 2024 . Netzwoche . de.
  6. Web site: FAQ – frequently asked questions . 2024-07-04 . Twint.