Iowa-based payment platform Dwolla made some key announcements today on its blog.

1.) Guest checkout
Users no longer need a Dwolla account to check out online with Dwolla. Instead, users authorize a one-time transfer from their bank account (via ACH).

Once customers opt to pay as a guest, they are routed to Dwolla’s external payment gateway where it takes 60 to 90 seconds to complete the process (assuming you have your checking account number handy) as follows:

a.) Enter name, Zip code, email address
b.) Enter phone number where a text or voice-authentication code is transmitted
c.) Enter the authentication code
d.) Enter bank account and routing numbers

To finalize the transaction, the consumer completes the normal checkout process back at the merchant.

2.) The “Dwolla Price”
Merchants can encourage consumers to use Dwolla by sharing the interchange savings. In the example below, a $100 unit is sold at the discounted price of $98.75 after the 3% interchange savings is split 50/50 with the customer and then the Dwolla flat 25 cents is added back in.

3.) POS integrations

Change and ShopKeep POS can initiate payments with Dwolla instead of using the Dwolla app or mobile wallet partner.

To learn more about Dwolla, watch its FinovateSpring 2012 demo video.

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*ShopKeep POS announced its integration at FinovateFall 2012.