How do I prevent automatic VBA creation while using SEPA Credit Transfer?

When using Chargebee with Stripe as your payment gateway, SEPA Credit Transfer is a supported payment method. By default, Stripe automatically generates Virtual Bank Accounts (VBAs) when invoices are created.

If you're managing VBAs manually or integrating with a custom CRM system, this automatic behavior can lead to conflicts. This article explains how to prevent automatic VBA creation while continuing to support SEPA Credit Transfer.

Use Cases

You may need this configuration if you are:

• Manually managing VBAs in Chargebee when using Stripe.
• Using SEPA Credit Transfer but want to prevent automatic VBA creation.
• Integrating a custom CRM that handles VBAs or invoice logic.

Solution Overview

To disable automatic VBA creation while retaining SEPA Credit Transfer:

1. Request a Custom Setting

   • Contact Chargebee Support to enable a custom setting on your site that prevents Stripe from automatically creating VBAs.
   • This setting is not available by default and requires intervention from Chargebee Support.
   • Be sure to test this setting in a sandbox before applying it to your production site.

2. Test the Setting in a Sandbox

   • Implement the custom setting in a test environment to verify that it behaves as expected.
   • Confirm that SEPA Credit Transfer still works as a payment method.

3. Apply to Your Live Site

   • Once confirmed in testing, request Chargebee Support to apply the custom setting to your live environment.
   • Monitor your integration to ensure compatibility with your CRM system or manual VBA workflows.

Important Notes

Follow these considerations when implementing this change:

• Custom Setting Required: This feature is not part of Chargebee’s standard configuration and must be enabled by Chargebee Support.
• Test Before Launch: Always validate changes in a test environment to prevent disruptions in live billing or CRM processes.
• Support Involvement: Direct assistance from Chargebee Support is necessary to implement and deploy this setting.
• Integration Compatibility: Ensure your CRM and manual VBA processes are compatible with this change to avoid data conflicts or automation issues.

By following these steps, you can retain SEPA Credit Transfer as a payment method without triggering automatic VBA creation—helping you maintain full control over your payment workflows and system integrations.