PSU and mid-size banks deploy own QR-soundbox stacks to reclaim merchant float from PhonePe-Paytm

Banks are bypassing TPAPs to acquire merchants directly, chasing current-account deposits as system deposit growth slows to 11.5%. Indian Bank opened 384,000 merchant accounts in FY26 targeting 1 million, with average balances near ₹200,000. UPI hit 24,162 crore transactions worth ₹314 trillion, with merchants driving 63% of volume.

— Source publishedWed, 3 Jun, 2026, 09:01 IST·First seen Thu, 4 Jun, 2026, 11:21 IST·Source Mint · Industry

What happened

Indian Banks QR/UPI · Mid-size and PSU banks are deploying proprietary QR/soundbox infrastructure to acquire merchants directly, capture current-account float

Key facts

  • 24,162 crore UPI txns FY26
  • ₹314 trillion UPI value
  • 63% merchant volume
  • Indian Bank 384,000 accounts FY26
  • 1 million target
  • ₹200,000 avg balance
  • deposit growth 11.5%