Payments— that thing we do a million times a week without a second thought. We’re so used to it that it’s basically background noise in our lives. But have you ever had one of those lovely moments where your card gets declined for no good reason? Yeah, me too.
And just when I’m about to have a fit while scrambling for the cash I usually don’t have, it hits me: I definitely take digital payments for granted. Like most of us, I want to swipe, tap, and click my way out of every purchase without thinking too much about it.
However, a lot is happening behind every transaction so that our payments don’t crash and burn. Suddenly, that one time when things didn’t work was no big deal because you made thousands of other purchases that went smoothly.
That’s where companies like SIBS come into play, keeping the chaos at bay so we can keep pretending that payments just happen like they’re no big deal.
Innovating in the Acquiring Space
In the fintech world, SIBS has a history and rock-solid credibility – especially when it comes to payment solutions. Financial institutions and businesses trust them because, well, they actually know what they’re doing.
At this year’s edition of the UNCHAIN Festival, Disruption Banking got the chance to talk with Anda Kaftanoglu, the Sales Director at SIBS Romania. She gave us a sneak peek at what the company is up to these days – making payments more accessible for everyone, from small businesses to major players in the mobility sector.
One of the most interesting features they’re pushing is turning your regular smartphone into a full-fledged payment terminal. No more clunky hardware or complicated setups. Just a phone that lets you accept payments anywhere, anytime.
This is a breakthrough in the acquiring business. It’s cost-efficient, and it offers banks the ability to expand their footprint in markets that were previously considered too risky or not worth the investment.
Anda Kaftanoglu
In other words, it’s opening up new opportunities, especially in regions where traditional payment infrastructure has been lacking.
And while you might think this tech is mainly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), you’d be surprised.
It was actually a very nice surprise when we realized that, yes, this was our approach, but the adoption was huge among big mobility companies too.
Anda Kaftanoglu
Think couriers, insurance providers, and other large-scale operations that are now streamlining their payment processes with this simple yet powerful solution.
SIBS Romania’s Global Footprint
But SIBS Romania isn’t just about local innovations—they’re playing on a global stage, too. Over the years, they’ve taken their expertise beyond Romania’s borders, reaching into markets across Europe, South Africa, and even Asia.
Anda highlighted how SIBS Romania became part of the larger SIBS Group a few years ago, which has only accelerated their growth and ability to innovate.
Three years ago, we became visible for SIBS Portugal, which then acquired our companies in Romania. It was a good match since we had a similar approach to the market.
Anda Kaftanoglu
This acquisition allowed them to exchange ideas and best practices across markets, leading to the introduction of new services like the ATM Multibanco network in Romania.
With 2024 well underway, SIBS Romania is focused on rolling out even more innovative solutions. By the end of the year, they plan to have 200 new terminals live in Romania, further cementing their reputation as a key player in the payments industry. And as Anda puts it, they’re just getting started:
We’re building our CV for the Romanian market, showing what we can do. The future is bright, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us.
Anda Kaftanoglu
