In the past year, 800,000 Finns made over nine million transactions with MobilePay. A total of 260 million euros was transferred through the payment app, with one-fifth going to businesses. The threshold of one million users is about to be surpassed soon.   

For the past year, MobilePay has offered not only individual transactions but also the possibility for recurring mobile payments. However, in Finland, only two entities are utilising this feature: Helsingin Sanomat and UNICEF Finland.

"We have long wished for a digital, fast, yet secure and donor-friendly payment method. MobilePay ticked all the boxes we desired," says Veera Videnius, Fundraising Manager at UNICEF Finland.

UNICEF is the first organisation in Finland to offer a recurring mobile payment option. This new donation opportunity was launched in March 2019, after six months of work.

A pioneering project in digital payments

UNICEF Finland and Crasman have been partners for thirteen years. This partnership played a significant role in the groundbreaking project.

"In long-term supplier relationships, well-proven practices are developed," Videnius knows from experience.

The model for recurring card payments built together four years ago provided valuable insights into the process and demonstrated that Crasman has solid experience in implementing payment methods.

"We are always pleased to be part of a transformation. To develop entirely new digital services and offer user-friendly solutions early on," says Markus Sipilä, Crasman's Client Director.

In the MobilePay project, Crasman implemented the contract interface and payment functionality necessary for making recurring payments. After the donation agreement and the first payment, the performance and contract details are transmitted to Salesforce, which operates as the background system. All solutions are tailored to the needs of UNICEF Finland.

"There is no ready integrator in Finland, so we designed and implemented the integration of the necessary systems ourselves," Sipilä says.

Monthly billing ensures a stable cash flow

MobilePay facilitates and accelerates joining as a monthly donor. Recurring payments are the cornerstone of UNICEF Finland's operations.

"Regularity brings continuity and security. It allows us to plan our activities in target countries in the long term," Videnius explains the importance of regular supporters.

At the same time, using MobilePay reduces costs associated with money management.

Markus Sipilä is convinced that Finns will embrace the new way of donating. He actively follows consumer behaviour trends and sees UNICEF Finland's choice as aligning with the direction consumers are leading.

"Monthly billing is today’s norm. We pay a fixed sum for music, gym memberships, and vitamins because it is an effortless way to ensure access to the services and products we need. MobilePay adds the missing factor in this equation, the ease of payment."