Tag: Sebastian Siemiatkowski

Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments, and shopping service that helps consumers save time and money, be informed and in control, today announced its plans for the international expansion of two of Klarna’s fastest-growing products across nine of its key growth markets*. With the global growth of Klarna’s rewards program and the payment method Pay Now, which enables consumers to pay immediately and in full, Klarna will become the go-to for any type of purchase whilst also rewarding consumers for every payment. The further expansion of these products enables the company to serve a wide range of fast-growing verticals whilst driving consumer loyalty and engagement. Consumers in these markets will now be able to manage all of their payments, redeem their rewards and access a wide range of services and content in the Klarna App.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO and co-founder of Klarna, said: “With the introduction of Pay Now, Klarna will offer consumers in more markets the choice to pay immediately and in full, alongside our sustainable, interest-free Pay Later services. From large purchases to everyday essentials like mobility services and entertainment, Klarna provides consumers with maximal choice, control and flexibility in how they pay for every single purchase and rewards them for every payment they make on time.”

“With our rewards program, we help consumers get more out of every dollar they spend and actively encourage consumers to pay for their purchases on time, making money management fun and engaging.” said Camilla Giesecke, Chief Expansion Officer at Klarna. “Members of the rewards program have a 50% higher engagement with the Klarna App than non-members, demonstrating its effectiveness to build long-term loyalty and strengthening the Klarna App as a growth channel for our retailers.” 

How Klarna’s rewards program works

Since its launch in September 2020, Klarna’s rewards program has gained over 4 million members in the US and Australia, with 1 million members joining in the last quarter alone. Now, it is expanding to nine further Klarna growth markets.

Members of the rewards program earn “points” for every payment they make on time with Klarna, no matter whether they pay now, pay later or pay over time. The points can be redeemed in the Klarna App for rewards at world-class brands including H&M, Amazon, Walmart, Footlocker and many more. Members of the program also benefit from exclusive deals and gain early access to product drops from hand-picked merchants. As part of the international expansion of the rewards program, Klarna is also introducing “Missions”. Missions are small, engaging tasks that consumers can complete to earn points, aimed at encouraging consumers to discover different features in the Klarna App and take control of their finances.

How Pay Now works

Hand in hand with the international expansion of Klarna’s rewards program, Klarna is also launching its popular payment method “Pay Now” in nine Klarna markets as part of an entirely redesigned “one-click” checkout flow, enabling consumers to pay immediately and in full wherever Klarna is available. Consumers simply connect their existing card to their Klarna account and safely pay in full with just one click at every Klarna retailer.

The introduction of Pay Now comes as part of a new Klarna checkout flow, which will be implemented across all Klarna retailers resulting in a consistent, recognizable experience for consumers every time they select Klarna at checkout. At the heart of the new flow lies the review screen, which gives consumers a quick and transparent overview of their order, their payment schedule and chosen funding source. The consumer’s billing details will be pre-filled and their preferred payment option will be set as a default, enabling a one-click experience that saves time at every checkout.

The product expansion follows closely on the heels of the launch of the company’s all-in-one shopping app across 17 markets, which empowers consumers to shop with Klarna at any online store and is used by over 45 million consumers worldwide. These product developments are accelerating Klarna’s growth in new markets both on the consumer and the retailer side. Klarna has now surpassed the milestone of 1 million consumers in Italy, Spain and France since the launch in Summer and Autumn 2020, where leading brands such as Lacoste, ba&sh, Samsung, Diesel, and H&M are among the most recent retailers to integrate Klarna’s technology.

*Notes to editors: availability of products per market

• Klarna’s rewards program will soon be available in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Canada & New Zealand. 
• Pay Now, which launched in the US and UK in 2021, will soon be accessible in Australia, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Canada & New Zealand. 
• Both products will become available across all Klarna markets over the course of 2022.

Klarna, the leading global payment and shopping service, is launching consumer bank accounts in Germany, with the aim to provide them with further control of their finances. The launch marks a first for the company and will allow customers to easily track, categorize and analyze all of their everyday spending using the Klarna app. A Klarna bank account will come with a Visa debit card which can also be connected to both Google Pay and Apple Pay. The offering will exclusively be made available to a limited number of Klarna’s most loyal consumers to intensively collect and integrate feedback before gradually rolling out to all Klarna users in Germany in the coming months.

With this new product, Klarna provides its consumers with a full Klarna end-to-end experience that puts consumers first: From shopping to keeping track, managing and predicting one’s spendings, the Klarna app enables consumers to have all their finances in one place. In future, German consumers will also be able to set savings goals and benefit from Klarna’s savings accounts product in the Klarna app, which was launched earlier this year in Sweden.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna said, “Our focus is to provide a superior shopping experience to our consumers at the intersection of retail and banking. And we know that there’s still massive room for improvement to the way many people bank and save their money today. Users are demanding more seamless, intuitive and transparent services to meet their daily needs, but many banks still do not cater for this. We are very excited to introduce Klarna Banking today, bundling shopping and banking in one app and allowing our consumers to bank in the same seamless way as they shop with Klarna.” 

Companies in the financial sector, especially traditional banks, have so far had to struggle with the changes brought about by digitization. According to current figures from the Deutsche Bundesbank, the number of bank branches has fallen back to the level of the 1950s. A study by Bitkom from 2019 shows that 7 out of 10 German citizens do their banking on the internet and that digital offers from their bank are more important than a well-known brand. This development shows an increasing change, which becomes manifest especially in the needs of the customers.

The Klarna Bank Account at a glance

• Self-service sign up with an own developed KYC process called Klarna Ident. Video identification possible, but not necessary.

• 3-click transfers and instant top-ups – money never more than a tip-tap away.

• Smart Budgeting – make monthly budgets for full transparency over spendings across purchase categories.

• Klarna Bank Card – The account includes a Visa debit card, which can be individually selected with the distinctive Klarna card design, available in two colours.

• Cash withdrawals can be made at all ATMs – free of charge 2 times a month. Even abroad.

• The card can be connected to both Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Direct debit payments or bank transfers available for all 36 countries of the SEPA area.

• 24/7 Customer Service (Phone, chat).

• The account is secured by biometric recognition data, including facial recognition and fingerprints.

• No charge to open an account or account running fees

• Option of real-time app push notifications of all account activity.

Opening a Klarna bank account can easily be done in the Klarna App. Customer service is available over the phone or in the Klarna App through a chat, and helps with all questions and concerns regarding the account.