SEPA

The PSD: Creating a Level Playing Field
Charlie Corbett, The Banker - Western Union - 11 May 2010
The new Payment Services Directive (PSD) is part of a wider plan to overhaul the European payments area, and provides money transfer operators with the opportunity to increase their market share, but ...
Based on an article originally published in The Banker

Payments Industry Regulatory Update in 2010
Jonathan Williams, Experian Payments - 26 Jan 2010
A number of regulatory milestones were finally passed in 2009, such as the arrival of SEPA Direct Debit (SDD), the transposition of the Payment Services Directive (PSD) and the launch of Direct Corpor...

Comment on the PSD
Michael Steinbach, Equens - 10 Dec 2009
This short editorial outlines the Equens view of the PSD, particularly with regard to the new payments institute status.
Originally Published in Investor Services Journal

What Happened with SEPA?
Erik Seifert, SEB - 03 Nov 2009
With the SEPA Direct Debit scheme being introduced as I write, the lack of momentum with regards to SEPA adoption is of significant concern, particularly to the European Commission. What needs to be d...

Remittance Win-win
Dr. Wolfgang Fenkart-Fröschl, Western Union - 03 Nov 2009
As banks move away from risk-taking activities towards more traditional transaction services, the remittance market remains an untapped market for many. In this Q&A, Wolfgang Fenkart-Fröschl from West...
Based on an article originally published in The Banker

The Payment Services Directive: Are You There Yet?
Michael Burkie, BNY Mellon - 29 Sep 2009
Many banks are struggling to meet the approaching final deadline for the implementation of the Payment Services Directive. What can they do to ensure full compliance by 1 November 2009?

SEPA Starts to Fulfil its Promises
Vesa Kalliokoski, OpusCapita - Eddy Ouwendijk, Deloitte - Taco De Vries, Atos Origin - 16 Jun 2009
What is the current situation with national migration to SEPA services and how prepared are corporates for this? Last autumn, Deloitte and Atos Consulting analysed the awareness of and the readiness f...
Originally published in OpusCapita Journal

SEPA's Perfect Future
Michael Steinbach, Equens - 16 Jun 2009
Despite the economic downturn and a slow take-up of SEPA Credit Transfers, SEPA's overall advantages are indisputable.
Originally published by financial-i

The PSD: Challenges and Opportunities for Banks and Corporates
Marcus Hughes, Bottomline Technologies - 31 Mar 2009
The Payment Services Directive's November deadline is looming, but what will it take to encourage banks to accelerate compliance efforts?

Prepaid Cards: the New Wave of Innovative Banking?
William Lorenz, EntroPay - 24 Mar 2009
With credit risk high on the agenda and regulations set to shake up the banking landscape, this article looks at the role prepaid cards can play in banks' changing business models.

Real-time Settlements - Why the Delay?
Mike Aston, Distra - 24 Mar 2009
This article debunks some of the myths surrounding faster payments and outlines the reasons why it is only a matter of time before everyone is demanding real-time payments settlement.

The Status of SEPA in 2009
Berit Lund, Nordea - 17 Mar 2009
2008 was a challenging year for the single euro payments area (SEPA). It brought the first successful, visible deliverables of SEPA to the market with the introduction of SEPA Credit Transfers and the...

Financial Crisis: SEPA Can be Part of the Solution
Charlie McCreevy, European Commission - 10 Feb 2009
This article explains the solid financial reasons for pressing ahead with full SEPA implementation, and looks at the action points that should be addressed in the upcoming timetable.
Originally published in EPC Newsletter

Does the Payment Services Directive Bring Sufficient Harmonisation for SEPA?
Daniela Filgertshofer, IBM Global Business Services - Thomas G Hartmann, IBM Global Business Services - 03 Feb 2009
Based on the current status of the PSD transposition into Member States' national law, this article discusses the probable impact of the PSD's optional provisions on the success of SEPA - as recent co...

How to Build Confidence for a Successful SDD Appropriation
Guillaume de Longeaux, ADN'co - 27 Jan 2009
As corporates and banks prepare for the SEPA Direct Debit to become a reality later this year, some are worried that creditors will suffer under the new system. This article examines if this is the ca...

Carpe Diem: the Business Case for SEPA and the PSD During an Economic Slowdown
Slava Gnevko, AlphaNostrum - 27 Jan 2009
This article is a summary of a research paper that analyses the economic situation in the European financial industry, its impact on the cost and time of migration to SEPA and timely, effective implem...

Trends and Challenges in the European Payments Market
Benjamin Syrbe, Equens - 09 Dec 2008
The introduction of SEPA, the implementation of the PSD and increasing price competition are just a few of the many challenges currently facing banks. A recent survey among European banks reveals inte...

Cross-Border Acquiring: Issues and Opportunities for Corporates
Steve Robson, Barclaycard Business - 30 Sep 2008
This article examines how cross-border acquiring can offer corporates the opportunity to streamline their card acceptance and drive scale efficiencies.

Payments Services Directive Dynamics to Date
Simon Bailey, Logica - 23 Sep 2008
While the Payments Services Directive (PSD) is scheduled to be transposed into law in November 2009, many banks believe that PSD implementation will not be uniform. This diversity undermines the busin...

The PSD and the European Payments Landscape
Bob Mackman, ACI Worldwide - Bob Lyddon, ACI Worldwide - 26 Aug 2008
The PSD's vision is to harmonise payments across the EU, yet the permitted national opt-outs may mean this process creates another layer of complexity.

Are ACHs Rising to the SEPA Challenge?
26 Aug 2008
SEPA promises to change the dynamics of the European payments industry in the longer term. If SEPA were starting with a clean slate, what role would be assigned to ACHs and how many would the market n...
Originally published in Dialogue

Are EU Banks Underprepared for the Payments Services Directive?
Chris Jones, PSE Consulting - 05 Aug 2008
€6bn in costs, tight timescales and poor visibility has left Europe's bankers unprepared for the European Commission's major effort to harmonise the legal framework for payments.

The Payments Services Directive: Great Idea, Unfortunate Timing?
VocaLink - 22 Jul 2008
As far as banks are concerned, the implementation of the Payments Services Directive and its associated costs are coming at a bad time for the industry. How can banks cut costs while meeting these new...

Perspectives on Fraud and the Payments Services Directive
Jonathan Williams, Experian Payments - 22 Jul 2008
With the Payments Services Directive coming into force in just over one year's time, this article looks at the risk implications this will have for financial institutions across Europe.

Payments SSC - The Remedy to Cost Pressure?
Lucien Lorang, Fortis - 27 May 2008
This article argues that successful payments SSCs will be able to master costs by having the critical mass to justify the investment required but, more importantly, the ability to fully meet the custo...

Check your PSD Profile!
Edith Rigler, Freelance Consultant - 25 Mar 2008
The Payments Services Directive looms on the horizon but how prepared is your organisation for this landmark payments legislation and how will it affect you?

Key Challenges and Trends for Europe's Payment Systems
Neelie Kroes, European Commission - 22 Jan 2008
What trends and challenges face tomorrow's payment systems? This article focuses on the most important project in the European payment world - SEPA and areas of concern that need to be addressed by al...

Payment STP Through High Quality Data
Robert McKay, Accuity - 22 Nov 2007
At a time when companies are under pressure to optimise performance in all areas, effective and efficient data management is essential. But what are the benefits of high quality bank routing reference...

Belgium's Preparation for SEPA
Francesco Burelli, Value Partners - 02 Oct 2007
This article takes a look at the challenges that Belgium faces as it struggles to become debit card SEPA-compliant.

What the Payment Services Directive Means to the UK
Factiva - 24 Sep 2007
How will the EU Payment Services Directive deliver faster payments for consumers - and what new obligations does it place on businesses to demonstrate the good standing of those who own and run money ...

Regulators: Help or Hindrance?
Charlie McCreevy, European Commission - 06 Aug 2007
What role do regulators play in Europe and how can the approach of 'better regulation' improve the European experience?

How Can Banks Prepare for Migration to TARGET2?
Yvon Lucas, Banque de France - Christine Sampic, Banque de France - 23 Jul 2007
This article provides an overview of the TARGET2 project, focusing on the migration phase, crucial for making the launch of the new system a success. It highlights the French project organisation and ...
Based on an article originally published in Journal of Payments Strategy & Systems

Making SEPA a Reality - Involving the Public Sector in the Single Euro Payments Area
Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell, The European Central Bank - 21 May 2007
At the recent 'SEPA: An opportunity for Europe - Role of the Public Sector' conference organised by the European Commission, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell, member of the executive board of the ECB made the...

SEPA: An Opportunity for Europe - Role of the Public Sector
Charlie McCreevy, European Commission - 14 May 2007
At the recent 'SEPA: An opportunity for Europe - Role of the Public Sector' conference organised by the European Commission, the European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services, Charlie McCree...

Helping To Harness EU Regulatory Initiatives
Tom Buschman, TWIST - 14 May 2007
There are a number of design and implementation initiatives that can help reduce implementation costs for banks and on SEPA, MiFID and anti-money laundering directives, while helping to offer added va...

Reaching the PSD Milestone
Francesco Burelli, Value Partners - 17 Apr 2007
The fact that EU finance ministers have reached agreement on the PSD is a key European banking milestone but it was achieved with a good degree of political compromise and there are still some challen...

SEPA: The War on Cash
Marc Rasenberg, Deloitte & Touche LLP - 26 Mar 2007
Banks should seize the opportunity that SEPA introduces through new technologies, electronic payment methods and standards to educate customers and reduce their use of cash.

SEPA: Corporate Reconciliation
OpusCapita - 19 Mar 2007
This article looks at the limitations of the credit transfer implementation guide in the European Payment Council's SEPA rulebook. Nordic companies, in particular, face greater restrictions and less f...

Public Letter Concerning Progress of the SEPA Programme
Gerard Hartsink, European Payments Council (EPC) - 12 Mar 2007
With just 10 months until the operational launch of the single euro payments area (SEPA), the EPC provides a progress report on where it is in the process and what issues lie ahead.

Corporate Update on BIC/IBAN Repair Charges
Michael Grainger, HSBC Global Transaction Banking - 12 Mar 2007
To date, the most significant implication of SEPA for corporates is adhering to the Interbank Convention on Payments STP standards for payments messages, as failure to comply results in repair charges...

Pressure on Cost/Income Ratios from SEPA and PSD
Bob Lyddon, ACI Worldwide - 20 Nov 2006
While there is a focus on the impact SEPA will have on banks' direct payments revenue, this article discusses the effect of the Payments Services Directive and whether it could have a greater impact t...

The SEPA Cards Framework
13 Nov 2006
This article outlines the objectives and principles of the SEPA Cards Framework.
Originally published in Le Bulletin de la Banque de France

Will SEPA Direct Debit Be a Winner For Pan-European Corporates?
Bob Lyddon, ACI Worldwide - 06 Nov 2006
What are the main concerns and criticisms surrounding the SEPA Direct Debit Scheme (SDD) and will it be a success among corporates?

EPC's Perspective on SEPA: Progress and Challenges
Gerard Hartsink, European Payments Council (EPC) - 09 Oct 2006
To realise the economic benefits of SEPA, banks and their customers have to make investments in their organisations and infrastructures. Careful planning of these investments is needed and should be a...

How Can Regulators Contribute to SEPA?
European Commission - 25 Sep 2006
There is a strong element of self-regulation in the introduction of SEPA, although harmonisation of different national legal rules has to be performed by regulators. But is it possible to rely on mark...

Tax and Fiscal Implications of SEPA
Marc Rasenberg, Deloitte & Touche LLP - Rolf Gelissen, Deloitte & Touche LLP - 29 Aug 2006
This article discusses the fiscal and tax implications of cash concentration and intercompany lending post-SEPA. How will SEPA adjust tax laws and policies within member states and is the EU tax lands...

SEPA: Achieving Critical Mass by 2010
Alec Nacamuli, IBM - 01 Aug 2006
The SEPA train is rolling: the schemes, rulebooks and message descriptions have been published, and the proposed Payment Services Directive is progressing through the European Parliament. Some areas o...

Keeping the SEPA Timetable on Track
Jonathan Williams, Experian Payments - 17 Jul 2006
The timetable for the introduction of the single euro payments area may already be slipping, but there are practical steps that could be taken to ensure the project remains on track.

The Challenge of Central Bank Reporting
Bottomline Technologies - 13 Jul 2006
Central bank reporting is often cited as a barrier to SEPA in view of its administrative burden and the inconsistency of rules within the EU. Despite the slow response of authorities to address this p...

Processing IBAN Payments: the Issues and Challenges
Robert McKay, Accuity - 27 Jun 2006
The IBAN has changed the way payments are made in Europe. How can you ensure you have all the information needed to process an IBAN payment and therefore benefit from lower costs and higher STP rates?

TWIST: Nearing the Tipping Point for Open Standards Adoption
Tom Buschman, TWIST - 11 Oct 2005
Open standards adoption is close to achieving widespread corporate adoption says Tom Buschman of TWIST. In this article he looks at what has been achieved over the last two years and the drivers for a...

Taking Note of SEPA After the European 'No' Votes
Chris Skinner, TowerGroup - 25 Jul 2005
SEPA will come to fruition regardless of the recent rejection of the current proposed EU constitution in France and the Netherlands. Banks should look to exploiting the opportunities that SEPA will br...

SEPA: A Challenge for Everyone
Renzo Vanetti, SIA-SSB - 25 Jul 2005
Reviewing the automation of the Romanian payments system by SIA, this article looks at how Romania and other EU accession countries are preparing for eventual integration with the Single Euro Payments...

What Is The Way Forward For SEPA?
Philippe Lambrecht, KBC Bank - 11 Jul 2005
The progress achieved to date by the EU banking community on SEPA does not meet the expectations of EU politicians while the financial industry considers the legislative framework to be unrealistic. W...

Non-STP Fees - What's Really Happening and Why?
04 Apr 2005
Since January 2004 banks have been able to charge each other for STP payments that do not comply with the Interbank Convention on Payments. This has led to the creation of an unregulated interbank cha...

SEPA: The View from 2010
Paul Nixon, HSBC Global Payments and Cash Management - 10 Mar 2004
Though a mere seven years ago, the year 2003 now seems such an innocent, almost quaint, time. Most people still worked in offices. Cars still ran on petrol. And there were still people who drove them....