NTT Data Is Looking Beyond Payments-And the Next Chapter Could Be Bigger Than Expected

MUMBAI — Digital payment solutions provider NTT DATA Payment Services India announced on Sunday, August 2, 2026, that it is expanding its strategic focus toward merchant financing and cross-border payments. According to corporate growth plans outlined by company leadership in Mumbai, the firm intends to utilize its in-house transaction analytics to partner with banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), delivering credit access to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across India.

The expansion comes as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) strengthens regulatory frameworks for digital payment aggregators, encouraging licensed institutions to broaden financial inclusion through embedded credit and regulated cross-border payment aggregator (PA-CB) frameworks.

Strategic Shift Toward Merchant Financing and Credit Enablement

According to company operational updates, NTT DATA Payment Services India—which processes over ₹1.5 lakh crore ($18 billion) in annual gross merchandise value (GMV)—seeks to address working capital shortages faced by small offline and online retailers. Rather than balance-sheet lending directly, the firm will operate as a digital credit facilitator, connecting partner lenders with merchants based on real-time transaction history.

By integrating merchant financing into its point-of-sale (POS) terminals and online payment gateways, the company aims to offer daily or weekly micro-repayment schedules tied directly to a merchant's daily sales volume.

Expanding Cross-Border Payment Capabilities

Along with credit enablement, the company is positioning itself to handle inbound and outbound trade payments under the RBI's PA-CB guidelines. The initiative is designed to streamline trade transactions for Indian software exporters, digital service providers, and e-commerce sellers receiving payments from overseas buyers.

Company officials noted that cross-border trade settlements often face high processing fees and prolonged clearing cycles. Deploying automated cross-border payment gateways lowers transaction costs for Indian exporters while ensuring compliance with Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations.

Industry Context and Impact on Businesses and Markets

The moves by NTT DATA Payment Services reflect broader consolidation and service diversification across India's fintech landscape:

• For Small Business Merchants: Access to data-backed working capital loans without traditional collateral requirements helps merchants manage seasonal inventory and cash flows.

• For Indian Exporters: Simplified cross-border payment processing speeds up foreign currency realization and reduces international wire transfer charges.

• For the Digital Payments Sector: Transitioning from low-margin payment processing to high-value credit distribution and cross-border trade strengthens revenue sustainability for licensed payment aggregators.

Official Sources Section

According to official corporate updates, regulatory releases, and central bank filings:

• Corporate disclosures and strategy updates published by NTT DATA Payment Services India.

• Regulatory frameworks for payment aggregators hosted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

• Trade payment and regulatory guidelines archived by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Quote Section

According to official corporate updates and executive announcements:

"According to officials, NTT DATA Payment Services India is leveraging its transaction processing scale to expand into merchant financing and cross-border payments, providing small enterprises with working capital access and international trade settlement tools."

Why It Matters

As basic digital payment processing margins remain compressed in India, payment aggregators are expanding into higher-value financial services. Expanding into merchant financing and cross-border payments enables institutions like NTT DATA Payment Services to address credit gaps for small businesses while facilitating international commerce for domestic enterprises.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Strategic Expansion: NTT DATA Payment Services India targets merchant financing and cross-border trade payments.

• Lending Model: Operating as a credit facilitator pairing merchants with regulated banks and NBFCs based on transaction data.

• Cross-Border Focus: Aligning with RBI's PA-CB guidelines to streamline international trade settlements for Indian exporters.

• Processing Scale: Currently handles over ₹1.5 lakh crore in annual gross merchandise value across online and offline channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What new services is NTT DATA Payment Services India introducing?

The company is expanding into merchant financing (working capital loans for small businesses) and cross-border payment processing for international trade.

Will NTT DATA Payment Services lend money directly to merchants?

No. The company acts as a technology and data partner, connecting merchants with regulated banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) that provide the underlying credit.

What is a Cross-Border Payment Aggregator (PA-CB) license?

A PA-CB license issued by the Reserve Bank of India permits authorized entities to process cross-border digital payment transactions for import and export of goods and services.

Where can merchants and investors verify official regulatory updates?

Official regulations and guidelines are available on the portals of the Reserve Bank of India and NTT DATA Payment Services India.

Source: Reserve Bank of India | NTT DATA Payment Services India | Ministry of Commerce and Industry