The SEPA Payment Account Access Multi-Stakeholder Group (SPAA MSG) is entering a new, more operational phase. To support this transition, the group’s Terms of Reference (ToR) have been updated and the SPAA MSG will be recomposed in line with these revisions. Today, the EPC issues a call for candidates to join the SPAA MSG as members, co-chairs or observers.

About the SPAA MSG

The SPAA MSG was established in 2021 by the EPC in response to an invitation from the ERPB to take up the role of scheme manager of a pan-European scheme in relation to access to payment accounts. As part of its initial mandate, the SPAA MSG inter alia published version 1.1 of the SPAA scheme rulebook  and the related business conditions.

The next phase of the SPAA MSG will involve the launch of a pilot project, scheme implementation by scheme participants and the maintenance and further development of the SPAA scheme. Its key objective is to bring the SPAA scheme to a live market status and to support the adoption of account-to-account payments in the EU.

SPAA MSG composition

The SPAA MSG will consist of a maximum of 24 members and will be composed as follows: 

- Representing Asset Holders: 12 members (including associations). 

- Representing Asset Brokers: 12 members (including associations).

For hybrid entities (i.e. representing or performing both Asset Holder and Asset Broker roles) the prevailing interest on SPAA-scheme related services should be considered, when applying for Asset Broker or Asset Holder category.

The revised ToR also foresees a maximum of nine additional Observers. Priority will be given to European representatives of consumer, merchant, e-commerce and corporate users’ associations; relevant technical providers and other potential stakeholders (e.g., acquirers, data driven companies). In addition, one representative of the ECB and one representative of the European Commission will be invited as Observers directly by the EPC Secretariat.

More details regarding the scope, deliverables and membership criteria are outlined in the SPAA MSG ToR, which are available for download in “Related Documents”.

How to apply?

a. Members and co-chairs

Application letters including an up-to-date CV in English should be sent to [email protected] by 17 January 2025, close of business. Candidates representing Asset Holders or Asset Brokers are invited to indicate whether they are applying to become a member or to assume the role of co-chair of the SPAA MSG. Candidates should clearly indicate the category of membership to which they or their organisation belongs.

b. Observers

Application letters should be sent to [email protected] by 17 January 2025, close of business.

The EPC Board is expected to be invited to approve the new SPAA MSG composition at its 6 March 2025 meeting. An inaugural meeting of the newly composed SPAA MSG will be scheduled soon after.

Kindly note that the present call for candidates is subject to the provisions of the privacy disclaimer available for download in “Related Documents”.