Enabling the lender to validate the quality performance standards for new products independently of its outsourced processing provider, the new platform will give the bank with a real-time test environment that simulates the end-to-end payments ecosystem.

KBC Bank Ireland retail products head Edward Dillon said that the alliance with Acquirer Systems will make it possible for KBC to launch a debit card product in an accelerated time frame while assuring the highest standards of quality.

"Robust testing and verification of product performance is indispensable to our ambition to excel in service experience and quality," Dillon added.

Established in 1997 and headquartered in Dublin, Acquirer Systems offers test and validation technologies to for the payments industry, including bank card issuers, merchant acquirers, payments processors, and terminal vendors.