Interac Direct / KONEK
Bank-to-bank payments with flat fees around $0.20-$0.50. Zero chargebacks. Perfect for high-value ecommerce.
Staples Canada was the first major national merchant to launch Interac Direct (powered by KONEK) in 2024. This is real, it works, and it can save you thousands.
What Is Interac Direct?
Interac Direct is a payment rail that lets customers pay directly from their bank account at checkout. similar to how Interac e-Transfer works, but designed for ecommerce.
Unlike credit cards (which charge 2-3% + fees), Interac Direct typically costs a flat fee of $0.20-$0.50 per transaction, regardless of order size.
KONEK is the technology provider that powers Interac Direct for merchants. Think of KONEK as the Stripe of bank-to-bank payments in Canada. KONEK is actually run by Interac itself. someone on the r/BuyCanadian subreddit mentioned that "KONEK is literally an Interac product", which checks out when you look at who's behind it.
Why Consider Interac Direct?
Zero Chargebacks
Bank-to-bank payments are irrevocable. No chargebacks, no disputes. Perfect for digital goods or high-risk categories.
Here's why: Interac Direct is a pull payment, not a push. The customer initiates the transfer from their bank account. they're pulling money out, not you pushing a charge to their card. Once they confirm it with their bank, that's it. There's no "I didn't authorize this" dispute six months later because they literally logged into their bank and approved it. This is fundamentally different from credit cards where you push a charge and the customer can reverse it.
Flat Fees
~$0.20-$0.50 per transaction. For a $500 order, that's 0.1% vs 2.9% on credit cards. The math is compelling for high AOV.
Customer Trust
Canadians trust Interac. They use it for e-Transfer all the time. Offering Interac Direct at checkout feels familiar.
The Math: High AOV Wins
| Order Value | Credit Card (2.9%) | Interac Direct (~$0.50) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $1.45 | $0.50 | $0.95 |
| $100 | $2.90 | $0.50 | $2.40 |
| $500 | $14.50 | $0.50 | $14.00 |
| $1,000 | $29.00 | $0.50 | $28.50 |
Note: Credit card fees shown are simplified (2.9% flat). Actual fees include interchange + processor markup + fixed fees.
Real Example: Staples Canada (First National Merchant)
In 2024, Staples Canada became the first major national merchant to launch Interac Direct at checkout (powered by KONEK). Customers can choose to pay via bank account instead of credit card.
For Staples, this means lower fees on big-ticket items like furniture, electronics, and office equipment. For customers, it's a familiar payment method they already trust.
If Staples. a major retailer. trusts Interac Direct enough to be first, you should at least consider it.
Who Should Use Interac Direct?
It Makes Sense For:
High AOV Merchants ($200+)
If your average order is $200+, you're leaving money on the table with credit card fees. A $500 order saves you $14 per transaction. That adds up fast when you're doing volume.
B2B Transactions
Business buyers get this immediately. They're used to bank transfers, ACH, wire transfers. Interac Direct is faster and cheaper than all of those. Plus, businesses hate credit card fees on $5,000 orders.
Anyone Tired of Chargeback Disputes
If you're spending hours fighting chargebacks. especially fraudulent ones. this is worth it for the peace of mind alone. Selling digital goods, event tickets, or anything where "buyer's remorse chargebacks" are common? Zero chargebacks means you can stop playing detective.
It Doesn't Make Sense For (Yet):
Most Consumer Ecommerce
Let's be honest: adoption by regular shoppers is low right now. If you're selling $30 t-shirts or $50 skincare, most customers will just use their credit card. They're not logging into their bank to save you 2%. The friction isn't worth it for low-value purchases.
Impulse Buy Products
If your conversion depends on speed and convenience, adding "log into your bank" as a checkout step is going to hurt. Credit cards are still faster for most people. Interac Direct works better for considered purchases where customers are already thinking about price.
Bottom line: If you're doing high-value transactions, B2B sales, or fighting chargebacks, add Interac Direct. If you're selling low-cost consumer goods, wait until adoption grows. Staples can afford to educate customers. You might not have that luxury yet. For more details on ecommerce payment processors, see our comparison guide.
How to Get Started
- Contact KONEK or a payment processor that supports Interac Direct. Ask about pricing and integration requirements.
- Check your ecommerce platform for existing integrations. Some platforms have built-in support for Interac Direct.
- Add it as a checkout option alongside credit cards. Don't remove credit cards. offer both and let customers choose.
- Test thoroughly with real bank accounts. Make sure the flow is smooth and customers understand what they're doing.
Important Considerations
Not a Replacement for Cards
Interac Direct should be offered alongside credit cards, not instead of them. Some customers will always prefer cards.
Customer Education
Some customers won't know what Interac Direct is. Clear messaging at checkout ("Pay from your bank. no credit card fees") helps.
Bank Limits
Some banks have daily Interac limits (e.g., $3,000/day). For very high-value purchases, customers may need to increase limits.
RPAA Compliance
If you're processing bank-to-bank payments, ensure your provider is RPAA registered with the Bank of Canada.
Want to Learn More?
Research KONEK, talk to your payment processor, or reach out to merchants already using Interac Direct to understand the implementation process.
Learn About RPAA Compliance