Payments processor Creditcall is set to launch an app-based white-label mobile payments service in the UK via an unnamed banking partner on 1 December. The app-based service, which is called CardEase Mobile, enables small businesses to accept credit and debit card payments on a BlackBerry or Android device. A small business first downloads the app onto a smartphone or tablet. When used in conjunction with a Bluetooth PIN pad, the smartphone or tablet can process Chip and PIN as well as magnetic strip-based transactions. Receipts are delivered via SMS or email. Potential users suggested by the company include market traders, beauticians and personal trainers.

However the initial launch of the new app-based service will be somewhat low-key. Creditcall’s banking partner will launch it to a limited number of users with a new brand at the start of December. Commercial launch by the bank is scheduled for three months later.

Creditcall is eager to distance itself from similar services such as Square or iZettle which hold master merchant accounts making their solutions available to everyone. As a white-label service, users have to sign up for a merchant account with one of Creditcall’s partners, although the latter will provide the app and payment gateway services.

The apps-based payments market is becoming increasingly crowded in the UK. However Creditcall points to a number of card acceptance apps available which are “non-compliant with UK banking rules” and don’t support chip and PIN unlike its solution.