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In today’s dynamic business landscape, financial institutions require strategic approaches that combine cutting-edge technology and efficient resource management. SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) has long provided a standardised and secure messaging network connecting financial institutions worldwide. And in an ever more complex payments landscape, this level of standardisation and broad acceptance is a boon for business and resource optimisation. But how does partnering for SWIFT connectivity offer financial institutions flexibility and the possibility to free up resources on their end for necessary innovation, and how can Worldline support them?
Stefan Traber, Head of Messaging and Connectivity Products at Worldline, was present at Sibos 2023, discussing the continued relevance of SWIFT connectivity in today’s financial world, and the successes demonstrated by Worldline in partnering with financial institutions of all sizes, and the benefits of its SWIFT Service Bureau.
SWIFT in a modern context
Before exploring the benefits of SWIFT connectivity, it’s crucial to recognise the current realities financial institutions face. Chief among these are soaring operating costs, especially regarding compliance. Indeed, a 60% increase in compliance related operating costs was indicated in a recent Deloitte report. Alongside rising costs is the widespread challenge of attracting and retaining key talent in a highly competitive landscape. Additionally, with SWIFT requiring specialised trainings of users and regular recertification, there is a strain on human resources.
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Combined, these challenges are diluting many financial institutions’ ability to efficiently use their resources where they are needed – strengthening and enhancing services at customer touchpoints and experiences. “To differentiate from their competitors, they must focus on end-user touchpoints and not the more generic back-office features,” says Stefan Traber. “So, with resources stretched in this case, why shouldn’t they partner with somebody who will take care of the processes in which you’re unable to differentiate?”
Worldline offers SWIFT connectivity to financial institutions as well as corporate customers through various back-office solutions and services within the SWIFT Service Bureau, designed to take care of the back end, empowering financial institutions to innovate where it matters.
What does SWIFT connectivity bring?
Success in the modern payments and financial world requires efficiency, speed, global reach, reliable security and optimisation. A flexible, robust and performant SWIFT connectivity is material for these aspects to business and customers.
Not only does SWIFT streamline and optimise transaction processing, but it also does so securely, with protocols protecting financial data and digital communications, to provide an unparalleled global reach. Alongside this comes compliance, which is a top priority for banks and businesses. Companies can more easily maintain compliance with relevant authorities by utilising SWIFT’s standardised messaging and tracking.
SWIFT connectivity with Worldline
Worldline’s track record in better providing SWIFT connectivity ranges across all size of banks and other financial institutions “At its core, is a flexible, fully redundant and scalable engine,” says Stefan. “It is both standardised, reliable and flexible, as well as highly customisable, capable of supporting various messaging and interfacing standards, and reaching various networks even beyond SWIFT.”
Many of the barriers financial institutions and businesses face can be alleviated, such as resource management and cost factors. Effective partnerships mean financial resources can be utilised more efficiently, while non-core functions and back-end services can be streamlined and optimised. Partnerships also grant access to specialist teams, services and solutions. In Worldline’s case, customers benefit from a pool of resources without needing heavy investment.
This ability to focus on core competencies and primary objectives allows businesses to enhance their offering, ensuring that a client’s potential is maximised. “Future success for an organisation will depend on the ability to rapidly combine services from different service providers across new interfaces and protocols, combining them to create added value,” says Stefan.
In a modern, hyper-competitive market, adding value across the entire chain is required for businesses to remain competitive. Further investment into areas they can lead rather than follow will set financial institutions apart from the competition.
How can businesses navigate this added complexity? By embracing standardisation, which is levelling the playing field for those willing and able to embrace it and innovating at the customer touchpoints. By building services and solutions on a solid framework of back-end services and a robust, future-proof partnership, financial institutions can not only meet the challenges of the modern world but also shape them to form part of their future success.
More information about our SWIFT Service Bureau.
By: Stefan Traber (Head of Messaging & Connectivity Products, Worldline)
Originally published at: Worldline
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