The partnership between Railsbank and Plaid aims to make it easier for companies outside of financial services to tap into the embedded finance opportunity, estimated to grow from £16 billion in 2020 to £164 billion in 2025. Through this strategic collaboration, Railsbank customers in the UK will gain access to Plaid's Payment Initiation API, enabling instant bank payments directly within their app or website. This partnership offers added benefits such as increased conversion and higher confidence through instant payment confirmation, reducing friction and improving customer loyalty. Companies like ikigai, a challenger bank leveraging the power of Railsbank and Plaid, have seen significant improvements in account opening processes and reduced operational hurdles, enabling them to focus on growth while offering seamless experiences to their clients. The partnership marks a significant milestone in Plaid's journey to provide access to financial products and services that leverage open finance benefits.