HSBC UK launches Tap-to-Pay for small businesses with Stripe

HSBC UK has launched a Tap-to-Pay service powered by Stripe. Eligible business customers can accept contactless payments directly on a compatible smartphone, without an additional card reader.

Payments through the banking app

Customers can set up the service in the HSBC Business Banking app. It is aimed at sole traders and small businesses that take card payments in person and want a simple way to process transactions.

Gavin Maclean, Head of Global Payment Solutions UK at HSBC, said Tap-to-Pay gives sole traders and businesses another simple way to take payments by phone and serve customers wherever they trade. Marc Fryer, Head of Revenue and Growth UK and Ireland at Stripe, said small businesses drive the UK economy but can be slowed down by payment administration. The service is intended to help them get paid more easily.

Tap-to-Pay turns a smartphone into a payment terminal, removing the need for a separate card reader. Similar services, such as Tap to Pay on iPhone, support contactless credit and debit cards as well as digital wallets. At checkout, customers hold their card or device near the merchant’s phone.

Stripe’s partnerships with UK banks

HSBC UK joins other UK banks working with Stripe on payment acceptance for small businesses. Lloyds launched Lloyds Accept in June 2026, a set of payment tools developed with Stripe. It lets small businesses take in-person payments with terminals or Tap-to-Pay, and accept online sales through payment links.

Monzo, whose business platform has more than 700,000 accounts, also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone through Stripe. Users include businesses in health and wellness, home improvement and maintenance, and retail. Since May 2025, accounting platform Xero has offered Tap to Pay on iPhone to UK small businesses with a Stripe account.