Payment methods
Account-to-account payments for art sales
Account-to-account payments move funds directly from the buyer's bank account to the business, initiated through open-banking infrastructure and authorised by the buyer in their own banking app.
Why the art market takes an interest
Card economics scale with value. On a very large transaction, a percentage-based cost can become significant, which is why higher-value sales are often discussed as bank payments. Account-to-account sits between a manual transfer and a card payment: bank-funded, but initiated and referenced like a structured payment request.
What to confirm before relying on it
- Whether the buyer's bank supports the initiation route
- Whether the buyer is domestic or international, and in which currency
- The buyer's own payment limits, which may require action on their side
- Confirmation timing, and whether funds must clear before release
- Whether the buyer is comfortable authorising a large payment this way
No universal conclusion
Account-to-account may warrant consideration on high-value transactions, subject to provider availability and buyer preference. It is not automatically the right route, and it does not carry the same protections as a card payment.
Common questions
Answers
- Is account-to-account the same as a bank transfer?
- It is funded from a bank account, but it is initiated through open-banking infrastructure with a defined amount and reference, which reduces manual error and improves reconciliation.
- Does it work for international collectors?
- Availability varies by country, bank and provider. It should be confirmed for the specific buyer before the route is agreed.