The importance of digital services has become increasingly apparent in recent years. For many, it’s more convenient to order a wide array of products and services through a mobile device. People can even manage their finances online. As customers expect more digital capabilities, banks are obliged to enhance their systems with secure digital services. This includes the corporate banking sector, which has mainly thrived by establishing client relationships through in-person meetings.

Many companies and their banks saw the need to adopt more flexible methods of transacting, especially after the global impact of the COVID-19 health crisis. Dealing remotely can become challenging, especially for businesses that need to manage international transactions. Today, small and medium-sized companies can use a reliable digital payments solution service to ensure safe and efficient cross-border financial transactions.

SWIFT gpi is one technology that aims to improve international payments for businesses, allowing them to make smooth and fast transactions through a secure service. This guide will explain what SWIFT gpi is and why banks should integrate this technology for enhanced corporate banking.

1. How SWIFT gpi Works

Small and medium enterprises (SME) that need to conduct cost-effective account-to-account currency transfers can benefit from SWIFT gpi. This technology enables businesses to perform secure international payment transfers from the bank’s own online portal or application. Since the technology is integrated within the bank’s service, it eliminates payment delays and costly routing fees charged by third-party intermediary providers.

SWIFT gpi comes with transparent exchange rate costs and real-time tracking of the payment’s status. Using this service results in minimized processing disruption and quick, low-cost financial transactions across borders. Thus, banks with SWIFT gpi can improve their bottom line, helping lower the total cost of ownership for their corporate clients. It provides convenient, predictable, and fast cross-border financial services.

2. How SWIFT gpi Improves International Transactions

Below are several specific benefits companies can gain when they work with SWIFT gpi enhanced banks.

a. Real-time Tracking of Payment Status

Transactions are easily traceable and can be viewed at any time. The system uses a unique end-to-end transaction reference to ensure that clients can monitor their payments from start to finish.

b. Quick International Payments

Allows companies to send payments as fast as 24 hours, depending on variations in business hours. This is a secure way to transfer money without worrying if it will reach the recipient on time. SWIFT gpi enables companies to establish stronger commercial relationships with their suppliers.

c. Clear Exchange Rate Costs and Charges

SWIFT gpi comes with a transparent system that shows the cost of transferring money. It also provides the exchange rate to help businesses accurately calculate their payments.

d. Easy Payment Identification

The system makes sure that the recorded information on payments is consistent. This means companies will not have a hard time identifying specific transactions on their account. It ensures that the payment data is unchanged from the start of the money transfer until it reaches the recipient. This makes payments more easily reconcilable once checked against invoices.

e. Cost-effective Operational Efficiency

SWIFT gpi enables banks to manage their cash flow and liquidity more closely to manage potential risks. Since companies can readily track their transactions, it can reduce payment inquiry expenses by a high cost. All clients have to do is use the bank’s portal or application to monitor their payments. This also allows bank staff to save time and focus on other more important operational goals.

f. The Importance of Digitizing Bank Transactions

Currently, banks are obliged to manage their digital migrations in compliance with ISO 20022, which incorporates digital processes into their systems. ISO 20022 is a global standard for payment messaging that comes with more organized data. This makes it crucial for banks and any financial institution to follow the prescribed payment messaging regulations.

In the coming years, most major monetary currencies of high-value transaction systems are expected to adopt ISO 20022 standards. As early as now, making plans to integrate SWIFT gpi into your corporate banking system will help improve your services while complying with the latest regulatory standards.

Finally, banks that can rapidly adopt digital processes into their systems are more likely to provide three important and financially lucrative advantages to their corporate clients:

More Flexible and Personalized Services – Faster, more efficient services are a primary benefit of automated banking systems. This results in more pleasant customer experiences, allowing banks to win their client’s trust and establish better relationships.

Improved Operational Processes – Corporate transactions can be done a lot more quickly to save time. This includes opening accounts, managing and checking accounts, trade processing, and account reconciliation.

Enhanced Capital Transparency – Improved digital systems provide corporate clients with more information that can help improve their business, such as the latest regulatory rules and exchange rate shifts. Managing these financial factors in real-time can help companies maximize their revenue.

Change and flexibility are crucial if banks want to maintain lasting relationships with clients. Preparing your bank with enhanced digital services is key in gaining your client’s confidence. Once your bank provides effective solutions to essential business needs, corporate clients will regard you as a crucial partner in supporting them to achieve their business goals.