Ozone API Debuts cVRP Solution to Fast-Track Open Banking Monetisation for Non-CMA9 Banks

Quick Summary

Ozone API has launched a dedicated Commercial Variable Recurring Payments (cVRP) product allowing non-CMA9 UK banks to deploy OBL 4.0-compliant infrastructure in just 8-10 weeks. This solution enables smaller financial institutions to monetise open banking and compete with major banks as new payment schemes like UKPI and Visa A2A go live.

How Can Non-CMA9 Banks Rapidly Adopt cVRP?

Commercial Variable Recurring Payments represent a significant shift in the UK payment landscape, but smaller institutions often lack the resources for a 6-12 month internal build. Ozone API solves this by providing a fully managed infrastructure that integrates directly with existing technology stacks via Ozone Connect. This approach eliminates the need for a dedicated standards monitoring team, as the platform automatically applies updates as the UK open banking standard evolves.

• 8-10 weeks deployment timeline compared to year-long internal projects.
• Full technical scope covered, including FAPI 1.0 Advanced and automated consent management.
• Flexible deployment options including cloud-based SaaS or on-premise installations.

What Market Opportunities Does OBL 4.0 Compliance Unlock?

The UK Payments Initiative (UKPI) and Visa A2A are now operational, creating an immediate need for OBL 4.0-compliant systems. By adopting Commercial Variable Recurring Payments, banks can offer modern alternatives to traditional card-on-file payments. Current live use cases already include subscription management, utility billing, and flexible loan repayments, with one-click e-commerce checkout scheduled for the 2027 roadmap.

• 31-organisation consortium supporting the new UKPI payment scheme.
• Monetisation of payments through high-intent open banking use cases.
• ISO 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type 2 certified security for institutional peace of mind.

Why is the Competitive Window for cVRP Closing?

As Commercial Variable Recurring Payments move from pilot phases to live production, the risk of a two-tier market increases. While the CMA9 are mandated to participate, other banks must choose to act now to avoid being left behind by Visa A2A onboarding and UKPI expansion. Ozone API provides the reference implementation for the industry, ensuring that even smaller PSPs can maintain competitive parity with the UK's largest financial institutions.

"The competitive window for cVRP is already open. UKPI is live, Visa A2A is onboarding, and the use cases are real today. The opportunity exists for banks to monetise open banking payments, but only if they move. Otherwise we risk a two tier market where only the CMA9 banks are participating in cVRP. We built the standard; we maintain the reference implementation; and we can take any UK bank from zero to production in 8–10 weeks." said Huw Davies, Co-Founder and CEO, Ozone API

FF NEWS TAKE:

This move by Ozone API is a critical equalizer for the UK banking sector. By lowering the barrier to entry for Commercial Variable Recurring Payments, they are preventing the CMA9 from monopolizing the next generation of account-to-account revenue. For non-CMA9 banks, this isn't just about compliance; it's a strategic survival play to capture market share in the burgeoning e-commerce and subscription economy before 2027.