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Imagine a scenario where a small business owner in India wants to collect payment from a client located in Germany. The buyer in Germany initiates a SWIFT money transfer through their bank, providing the necessary recipient information and transfer amount. The information is encrypted and securely sent through the SWIFT network to the Indian seller’s bank. Upon receiving the payment request, the Indian bank credits the seller’s account, and hence, the transaction is completed.
In today’s globalised world, international financial transactions play a crucial role in connecting businesses and individuals across borders. One of the most widely used systems for facilitating these transactions/payments is SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication).
Now, let’s understand SWIFT.
What is SWIFT?
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a cooperative messaging system that links financial institutions worldwide, enabling the secure exchange of standardised financial messages. It was established in 1973 to address the need for a unified and secure communication platform in international banking. Prior to SWIFT, cross-border payments were time-consuming and error-prone. With its unique alphanumeric codes (SWIFT codes/BIC), SWIFT identifies each participating bank, simplifying transactions and also fostering transparency.
Today, the SWIFT payment system has an extensive network of member institutions, spanning over 200 countries and territories. It serves as the primary interbank messaging service for financial entities globally. Moreover, it facilitates around $150 trillion in transactions annually. SWIFT’s neutrality has been crucial in easing financial dealings in politically tense regions. It allows communication between entities even during geopolitical tensions. Additionally, it has played a role in enforcing financial sanctions by helping institutions comply with international regulations.
How do SWIFT Payments Work?
SWIFT operates as a messaging system that follows a series of steps to complete a payment transfer. When a bank initiates a SWIFT bank transfer, it sends a secure message containing the payment details, such as the recipient’s account information and the transfer amount. Then the message is relayed through the SWIFT network to the recipient’s bank, ensuring the information remains confidential and tamper-proof. The recipient bank processes the payment and completes the transaction. Then, it also notifies the beneficiary.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how SWIFT bank transfer work:
1. Payment Initiation
The process begins when a sender, typically an individual or a business, wishes to make an international payment. They approach their bank (the originating bank) and provide the necessary payment details, including the recipient’s bank name, account number, SWIFT code (also known as BIC – Bank Identifier Code), and the transfer amount.
2. Message Creation
The originating bank creates a payment instruction message using the SWIFT messaging format. This message contains all the relevant information about the payment, adhering to SWIFT’s standardized messaging protocols.
3. Message Authentication and Security
SWIFT takes security very seriously. Before sending the message to the SWIFT network, the originating bank’s system will authenticate the message and encrypt it to ensure its confidentiality and integrity.
4. Sending the Message
After authentication and encryption, there goes a payment instruction message from the originating bank’s SWIFT interface to the SWIFT network. Therefore, the SWIFT network acts as a secure messaging platform that connects thousands of financial institutions globally.
5. Message Routing
The SWIFT network processes the message and routes it to the recipient’s bank (the beneficiary bank) using the SWIFT code mentioned in the message. The message may also go through intermediary banks if needed, depending on the complexity of the payment route.
6. Recipient Bank Processing
When the payment instruction message reaches the recipient bank, it is decrypted and validated. Then the recipient bank processes the payment by crediting the specified amount to the beneficiary’s account.
7. Payment Notification
After completing the payment processing, the recipient bank sends a confirmation message (acknowledgement) back through the SWIFT network to the originating bank. Thus, this confirmation ensures that the beneficiary’s account has successfully received the credit payment.
8. Beneficiary Notification
Finally, the beneficiary (the person or entity receiving the funds) is notified about the receipt of the payment. The beneficiary’s bank statement will reflect the credited amount, and hence, they can utilize the funds for their intended purposes.
While SWIFT is widely used for international money transfers, it’s worth mentioning that the speed and cost of these transfers can vary depending on factors like the participating banks, intermediary banks involved, and the destination country’s banking infrastructure.
Cost & Speed of SWIFT Transfers
The cost and speed of SWIFT transfers can vary depending on several factors, including the participating banks, the destination country, and any intermediary banks involved in the process. While SWIFT offers a secure and reliable method for international payments, the complexity of the global financial ecosystem may result in longer processing times and higher fees compared to domestic transactions.
1. Cost of SWIFT Transfers
The cost of SWIFT transfers typically involves $50 fee, irrespective of the amount and upto 3% + tax conversion fee charged by the participating banks and any intermediary banks involved in the transaction. The fees associated with SWIFT transfers can be categorised into two main components:
- Sender’s Bank Fees: The originating bank (sender’s bank) is likely to charge a fee for processing the international payment. This fee can vary depending on the bank’s policies and the type of account held by the sender. Some banks may charge a flat fee, while others may apply a percentage-based fee on the transfer amount.
- Intermediary Bank Fees: If the SWIFT transfer requires the involvement of one or more intermediary banks, each of these banks may levy a fee for handling the payment as it passes through their network.
The banks typically communicate these fees to the recipients, and the amount deducted varies from bank to bank.
2. Speed of SWIFT Money Transfers
The speed of SWIFT transfers can vary from 1 – 5 days based on several factors, including:
- Currency and Destination Country: The specific currency involved in the transaction and the destination country’s banking infrastructure can influence the processing time. Some currencies and countries may have more streamlined payment routes, leading to faster transfers, while others may experience delays due to regulatory or operational processes.
- Intermediary Banks: The involvement of intermediary banks can introduce additional processing time, as each bank has its internal procedures for handling SWIFT messages.
- Time Zone Differences: The time zone differences between the sending and receiving banks can also impact the overall processing time, as certain operations may be subject to banking hours and working days.
SWIFT Standards and Other Services
SWIFT operates on standardised messaging formats, known as SWIFT Standards, which ensure uniformity and clarity in financial communications. These standards enable seamless interoperability among member institutions, therefore, reducing the chances of errors and misunderstandings.
Apart from its core messaging system, SWIFT also offers various other services, including compliance-related solutions and business intelligence tools. These additional services include:
SWIFTNet
SWIFTNet is a secure and resilient network infrastructure that facilitates the exchange of financial messages and data between SWIFT member institutions. It is a private, closed-user group network that ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted information.
Browse
SWIFT’s Browse service enables users to access and search for financial information, such as messages, message types, and message validation rules, via the SWIFTNet interface. It provides valuable insights and helps in understanding the SWIFT standards and guidelines.
SWIFTRef
SWIFTRef is a reference data platform that provides accurate and up-to-date reference data for financial institutions. It includes reference data for financial institutions, corporate entities, and other market participants, facilitating smoother and more accurate financial operations.
Compliance Services
SWIFT offers compliance-related solutions to help member institutions meet regulatory requirements and combat financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing. These services include Sanctions Screening, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions, and Know Your Customer (KYC) Registry.
Business Intelligence Solutions
SWIFT provides various business intelligence tools and services that offer valuable insights into financial market trends, payment flows, and industry benchmarks. These insights help financial institutions make informed decisions and optimize their operations.
MyStandards
MyStandards is a platform that allows financial institutions to access and manage SWIFT messaging standards efficiently. It simplifies the process of implementing and updating messaging standards, ensuring seamless interoperability among member institutions.
gpi (Global Payment Innovation)
SWIFT gpi is an initiative aimed at improving the speed, transparency, and traceability of cross-border payments. It provides real-time tracking of payments, end-to-end payment status, and upfront information on fees. The gpi tracker enables banks and their customers to monitor the progress of their international payments in real time.
SWIFT for Corporates
SWIFT also offers services specifically tailored for corporate entities, allowing them to connect directly to the SWIFT network and exchange financial messages with their banks. This direct connection streamlines communication and enhances efficiency for corporates’ financial operations.
Challenges Related to SWIFT
The SWIFT network, while widely used and essential, is not exempt from encountering certain challenges. These include:
- Limited Automation of Transaction Entries: One of the most significant hurdles for SWIFT is the absence of fully automated transaction entry systems. As the user community continues to grow, there is a pressing need for efficient software solutions that can seamlessly integrate all transaction details into the ledger. So, the lack of complete automation currently poses a noteworthy challenge for SWIFT.
- Centralized Oversight by G10 Central Banking Institutions: SWIFT’s operations are overseen by central banking institutions in G10 countries. This centralized control can present difficulties in maintaining complete neutrality concerning major socio-political or economic events taking place globally. The network may face complexities in upholding absolute impartiality due to this oversight structure.
SWIFT Payments for Businesses in India
If you are a business owner or an individual in India seeking to accept overseas payments, you can utilise the SWIFT network to collect international payments in India. You can do this through a bank or a platform like Cashfree Payments.
With Cashfree Payment’s Global SWIFT Account, Indian merchants gain the ability to accept payments in more than 30 different currencies. Thus, it is highly versatile and can accommodate a wide range of global clients. So, with this feature, businesses can receive payments in their customers’ preferred currencies without the need for complex currency conversions or dealing with multiple intermediaries.
Moreover, Cashfree’s service extends its reach to over 180 countries, meaning that merchants can receive payments from customers situated all around the world. This global coverage significantly broadens the potential customer base for Indian businesses and facilitates seamless cross-border transactions.
Cashfree Payments’ offering of the Global SWIFT Account empowers Indian merchants with a robust and user-friendly tool to efficiently manage international payments. Therefore, it is a valuable asset for businesses aiming to grow and thrive in the global marketplace.
