Deutsche Bahn (DB), the national railway company of Germany, and Tink, a market-leading payment services and data enrichment platform, have partnered up for direct debit setups. DB enables customers using its modern mobility sharing systems, run by the subsidiary DB Connect, to seamlessly connect their bank accounts for easier account onboarding. This includes using Tink’s Account Check for ‘Flinkster’, Germany’s largest car-sharing network, and ‘Call a Bike’, one of the biggest bike-sharing systems in the country – helping people to cut their carbon emissions and travel more sustainably.

Account Check helps to enhance direct debit setups, increases conversion and ensures the correct account will be charged every time a car or bike is used.

Tink’s Account Check works by instantly verifying account details using real-time data straight from a user’s bank account, with explicit consent. Verifying account details reduces the risk of fraud since the information is coming directly from the user’s bank, making the set-up instant, easy, and secure.

By removing the need for manual entry in setting up direct debits, Account Check also minimizes user error, and significantly streamlines the user experience. With instant and frictionless verification, Tink’s product boosts efficiency and enables payments to be taken securely with speed and accuracy.

Clemens Rath, Head of Product Management Bike Sharing at DB Connect commented: “Since we introduced Account Check, only valid direct debit mandates have been generated. Fraudulent direct debit mandates are prevented by validating the data directly with the customer’s bank. This underlines our commitment to the highest security standards and enables us to guarantee the integrity of our service.”

Thomas Gmelch, Director of Payments Sales (DACH) at Tink added: “Teaming up with DB Connect is a great example of how we can help businesses provide the best possible onboarding experience, while also supporting DB in helping consumers to minimise carbon emissions. Account verification can be completed in an instant. And with just a few clicks. It reduces failed payments, helps protect against fraud and boosts efficiency – adding value for both businesses and consumers.  By making the process faster and more accurate, we can reduce costs and enhance the customer experience.”