Is open banking safe?

Yes. You authorise the payment through your own bank's secure login via a licensed provider, and you never share card numbers. The payment moves directly between bank accounts.

Why does wlbr use open banking instead of cards?

Because escrow is about certainty. Card chargebacks can reverse a payment weeks later, which would undermine the protection escrow provides. Bank-to-bank open banking payments can't be charged back.

Open banking vs card payments

Cards are familiar and everywhere, but they come with fees and chargeback risk for the business. Open banking moves money directly bank-to-bank, authorised in your banking app. Here's how they stack up.

Comparison of Open banking and Credit / debit card
Feature	Open banking	Credit / debit card
How you pay	Approve the payment directly in your own bank, no card details entered.	Enter card number, expiry and CVC (or a saved card).
Chargebacks	None - there's no card network to reverse the payment.	Possible weeks or months later, with a dispute fee for the business.
Fees to the business	Generally lower than card processing.	Card processing fees plus potential chargeback fees.
Buyer familiarity	Newer in New Zealand, but uses your existing bank login.	Universally understood and accepted.
Works with escrow	Pairs naturally - funds go straight into the trust account.	Card chargebacks undermine the certainty escrow is meant to provide.

The verdict

For everyday retail, cards are hard to beat on familiarity. For paying for work - especially through escrow - open banking is a better fit: lower fees and no chargebacks, so a released payment stays released.

Where the money sits

Bank to trust to bank - never anywhere else

Client funds are held in a dedicated NZD client trust account, separate from company funds, until release or refund.

Frequently asked questions

Is open banking safe?: Yes. You authorise the payment through your own bank's secure login via a licensed provider, and you never share card numbers. The payment moves directly between bank accounts.
Why does wlbr use open banking instead of cards?: Because escrow is about certainty. Card chargebacks can reverse a payment weeks later, which would undermine the protection escrow provides. Bank-to-bank open banking payments can't be charged back.

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