Local payment methods (LPMs)

Non-card methods preferred in specific markets, such as bank transfers, vouchers, or wallets.

When this matters

You are planning market launches or expanding beyond cards.
You are comparing PSPs or providers on coverage and performance.
You are designing checkout flows for local expectations.

Operator tips

Start with a short list of methods that materially move the needle in each market.
Model operational implications: settlement timing, refunds, and reconciliation.
Coordinate LPM rollout with marketing, risk, and support so messaging matches reality.

How to use this term

Use this definition when you are aligning stakeholders across product, engineering, finance, and operations. Shared vocabulary makes it much easier to argue about tradeoffs without talking past each other.

For deeper context, pair this term with the free assessment and providers/methods directories. They give you a concrete view of how concepts show up in real stacks.