With Stripe you can offer your donors bank transfer as a payment method: Stripe gives the donor the details of a virtual bank account so they can make the transfer from their bank. In this article we explain how it works, when you can use it, how to activate it and what the donor sees.
❗️Stripe is a system external to StockCrowd and can change its screens, names and options at any time. What you see in your Stripe Dashboard is always the reference: these instructions are a guide to help you. For any questions about your Stripe account, contact Stripe support.
How does bank transfer work with Stripe?
With bank transfer, Stripe gives the donor the details of a virtual bank account (VBAN) to make the transfer. Stripe uses these virtual account numbers to automate payment reconciliation and to avoid showing your real bank account details.
Stripe can generate virtual accounts in Germany, France, Ireland and the Netherlands (DE, FR, IE, NL). In StockCrowd we show your donors Irish (IE) virtual accounts. Spanish virtual accounts stopped working on 9 December 2024.
💡 You'll find more information about bank transfers and virtual accounts in Stripe's documentation on bank transfer payments.
When can you use bank transfer?
Stripe bank transfer is available in your campaign when these conditions are met:
You collect payments with Stripe: with StockCrowd Pay, available on all plans, or with the direct Stripe integration, which needs the multi-gateway feature (included in the Premium plan).
The donation is in euros (EUR) from a European bank account.
The donation is one-off: bank transfer isn't available for recurring donations.
The campaign is of any type except a rewards campaign (shop).
How do I activate bank transfer in my campaign?
To offer bank transfer in your campaign you need to activate it in your Stripe account. You don't need to activate anything else in StockCrowd: just check that the method isn't hidden in your campaign.
Step 1 | Activate bank transfer in Stripe
In your Stripe Dashboard, go to the Payment methods settings.
In the Bank transfers section, click Turn on.
Stripe may ask you for additional verification.
The method stays Pending until Stripe verifies the details.
Once it's active or partially active, the green tick ✅ is shown.
Step 2 | Check that it shows in your campaign
In StockCrowd, Stripe payment methods are active by default, so you don't need to tick any box. In your campaign, check that Bank Transfer isn't hidden (with the crossed-out eye icon) in the list Order of payment methods in one-off transactions. This list is in:
Settings → Payment methods, if you only collect payments with StockCrowd Pay.
Settings → Payment gateways, if you have the multi-gateway feature (for example, with the direct Stripe integration).
If you use StockCrowd Pay, you'll find more details in Activate StockCrowd Pay as the payment gateway in your campaign.
How does the donor see bank transfer?
The donor goes through two screens to pay by bank transfer:
After choosing the amount of their one-off donation and filling in their personal details, the donor reaches the Datos del pago (payment details) screen. There they select bank transfer and enter their email address.
When the donor enters their email and continues, they see the bank details and the instructions to complete the payment by transfer.
❗️To speed up reconciliation, it's important that the donor uses the Reference shown by Stripe as the transfer reference.
Important points to bear in mind
Before offering bank transfer, bear in mind how these donations are handled:
Once the donor's details and the amount are received, the transaction shows as Pending, pending confirmation from the bank. If the donor never makes the transfer, the transaction will always stay pending.
If the donor doesn't include the Reference, or includes the wrong one, the transfer may take longer to arrive or even be rejected by the bank.
To avoid delays with euro transfers, the donor should enter as beneficiary the exact name of your organisation as registered with Stripe. If it doesn't match, Stripe's partner bank may carry out additional checks and the money may take longer to arrive.
If you need help with your Stripe account, you need to contact Stripe support directly: the StockCrowd Support team doesn't have access to your organisation's Stripe Dashboard.
❓Frequently asked questions
Can I offer bank transfer for recurring donations?
Stripe bank transfer is only available for one-off donations, not for recurring donations.
Does bank transfer work with accounts outside Europe?
Stripe bank transfer in StockCrowd works with European bank accounts and donations in euros (EUR).
Do I need to activate anything in StockCrowd to offer bank transfer?
You don't need to tick any box in StockCrowd: Stripe payment methods are active by default. You just need to activate bank transfer in your Stripe account and check that it isn't hidden in the payment methods order list: in Settings → Payment methods if you only collect payments with StockCrowd Pay, or in Settings → Payment gateways if you have the multi-gateway feature.
Why is a bank transfer donation still Pending?
A bank transfer donation shows as Pending until the bank confirms the money has arrived. If the donor never makes the transfer, it will always stay pending. If they didn't use the Reference, or used the wrong one, the transfer may take longer or be rejected.
Can I use bank transfer in a shop?
Bank transfer isn't available in rewards campaigns (shops). You can use it in all other campaign types.
What is the virtual account (VBAN) the donor sees?
The virtual account (VBAN) is an account number generated by Stripe so the donor can make the transfer without seeing your real bank account details, and to automate reconciliation. In StockCrowd, Irish (IE) virtual accounts are shown.
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