Businesses are crossing borders and scaling across time zones plus geographical barriers. How can you ensure seamless and secure financial exchange?
The digital era is revolutionizing businesses globally. And with these, financial transactions are being executed across nations. How do you make sure it all goes smoothly? A secure cross-border payment system is the need of the hour for brands of all sizes. They optimize your payments and invoice workflows within the landscape of the B2B market, improving efficacy by incorporating automation.
The biggest advantage of SWIFT (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) payments is a secure and hassle-free exchange of finances. It works by facilitating fund transfers through intermediary banks. The network is not a banking system, but a medium that facilitates payments between different banks with the help of SWIFT codes.
It operates across 200+ nations, which makes it one of the leading international payment networks in the world. Several financial institutions and businesses utilize SWIFT to move funds across borders. Members enroll with a one-time entry fee and annual dues, with fee structures for participating members differing as per time zones. One of the highlights of using SWIFT is the ability to accept/send international money via electronic or credit card payments. And that’s possible even if you have an account in a different bank than the payee.
To access the SWIFT network, you must set up NOSTRO accounts by collaborating with corresponding banks cross-borders. To make a transfer with this payment channel, these are the details you will need:
- Bank details of the recipient, such as bank name, address, country, and routing code.
- The recipient’s details including company name, current address, and account number.
- The Swift code of your recipient’s bank account.
- Your government-issued ID
Additionally, you may also need to supply other documents as requested by the local or international bank.
The features that make SWIFT stand out
Network availability
SWIFT offers a highly efficient network and accessibility at various locations across the globe, thereby ensuring reliable and continuous service.
ISO Compliance
With this payment network, your worry about compliance can take a backseat. It aligns with the ISO 20022 standard for payments, allowing you to experience a seamless and quick funds transfer process.
Transaction fees
Depending on your location and that of your client company, you may be surprised to find out that the fees for messages are quite small. However, banks may add their own feed to this amount, increasing the gross amount.
SWIFT: Use Cases
The intent of SWIFT is to establish a route for banks to communicate faster and more securely within themselves. These payment channels consist of payment instructions from the issuing bank (the payee) to the remitting bank (the beneficiary/receiver).
All banks participating in a SWIFT mode of payment transfer are required to move funds from one account to another depending on an underlying network of Nostro and Vostro accounts. This refers to accounts that share a branch or more for the main objective of executing international transactions.
Steps involved in the payment network
A SWIFT transaction requires you to follow these steps:
Reach out to your bank: Share with them the details of the financial exchange: the recipient’s name, bank name, account number, amount, currency, and other relevant information.
Fill out forms: Collect the forms required to initiate the SWIFT transaction from your bank. Each form comprises details such as the originator and beneficiary of the transaction, the amount, and the currency.
Provide payment: After filling out the forms, you must focus on making the payment. This step involves transferring funds from your account to the recipient’s account.
Await confirmation: Post the initiation of the transaction, wait for confirmation to double-check the funds have been transferred successfully. The confirmation process can take hours or days, depending on the banks involved and the complexity of the transaction.
Wrapping up
Advancements in digital marketing call for adopting a secure alternative to SWIFT payments that support cross-border business. NOSTRO/VOSTRO ledger system adds to the network’s flexibility, allowing compliance with standards set by financial institutions. SWIFT platform is not a payment processor, but a messaging system between banks that enables brands like yours to handle a large volume of traffic.