Ant International has revealed that it will be the exclusive partner integrating PayTo into its Australia-based Global Account Service. That expansion is aimed at export-oriented businesses, mainly small and medium-scale ones that will be given a quicker, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to the conventional pull account-to-account payments method.
The program is made in cooperation with Citi that acts as the main sponsor bank of the initiator side of the transaction, so it can guarantee that the service will be fast, secure, and reliable.
Since Australia exported $343.8 billion worth of goods in 2025, this step is really timely as almost 80% of SMEs are suffering from cash flow problems caused by the sluggishness of cross-border payments. The payment mechanism that allows instant transactions is expected to open up working capital and help businesses develop.
Also Read: iOPEX Launches SuccessPilot AI Agents to Transform Customer Success Operations
Real-Time, Secure, and Cost-Effective Payment Capabilities
Through its Global Account Service—primarily powered by WorldFirst—Ant International now allows businesses to initiate PayTo-enabled pull payments directly from Australian bank accounts. This provides a modern alternative to traditional direct debit systems.
Key benefits of the integration include:
- Real-Time Payments: Funds can be transferred instantly, 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.
- Enhanced Security: Transactions are authorized directly through customers’ banks, reducing fraud risks.
- Cost Efficiency: Lower reliance on card-based payments helps minimize fees and chargebacks while improving reconciliation processes.
Beyond account top-ups, PayTo supports a wide range of business use cases, including SaaS billing, e-commerce marketplace settlements, and streamlined B2B invoice payments-making it a versatile solution for modern trade environments.
Expanding the Fintech Ecosystem for SMEs
The integration builds on Ant International’s broader efforts to expand flexible financial tools for SMEs. Its World Card, launched in late 2024, has already seen strong adoption, with transaction volumes increasing by 440% in Q1 2026. The card enables businesses to avoid foreign exchange conversion fees, earn cashback, and transact directly in multiple currencies.
Looking ahead, Ant International and Citi are exploring additional opportunities to deepen PayTo integration within the Global Account Service, aiming to create a more comprehensive and seamless payments ecosystem for Australian businesses.
Technology remains central to the platform’s evolution, with blockchain and AI capabilities supporting improved payment efficiency, risk management, and cross-border operations.
Jim Vrondas, General Manager of ANZ WorldFirst, Ant International, said: “As Australia’s financial infrastructure continues to evolve, we are proud to play a role in supporting innovative solutions for SMEs. Drawing on our experience in cross-border payments, we see firsthand how critical cash flow is to their success—and we remain committed to working with Citi and other banking partners to bring more innovation to Australian SMEs.”
Co-Head of Services for Citi Australia, Kirstin Renner, added “Our collaboration with Ant International helps solve a tangible payments challenge for many Australians and Australian SMEs. By combining our robust PayTo infrastructure with their innovative platform, we are directly solving for better cash flow and security. This is a foundational step in modernizing B2B payments, and we are proud to be the banking partner powering this essential change.”
