Streamlining Transactions Worldwide_ An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard

1. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard FINTECH STREAMLINING TRANSACTIONS WORLDWIDE: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT ISO 20022 MESSAGING STANDARD ISO 20022: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE GLOBAL MESSAGING STANDARD The payment industry has made remarkable strides, becoming faster, more e?cient, and inclusive, all in response to customer preferences. However, it now ?nds itself at another critical juncture, grappling with intense competition, an in?ux of new players, and signi?cant technological advancements and regulatory changes. According to McKinsey, the global payments revenue 2020 amounted to nearly $2 trillion. However, estimates now indicate it will reach $3 trillion by 2026. Financial institutions have created distinct standards in the past, each using its own language. When signi?cant sums of money are at stake, miscommunication between banks poses a substantial risk. The challenge intensi?es when institutions in different regions adopt varying standards for communicating these transactions, making it di?cult to streamline and synchronize global banking operations. The lack of genuine and universal standardization in payment messaging, i.e., the absence of a shared, common language hinders the swiftness of transaction processing in cross-border payments and alternative bank payment methods. The ISO 20022 format effectively addresses this concern by establishing a common language, bridging the gap caused by varying standards. It is an internationally recognized ?nancial service messaging standard designed to become a universal, well-structured messaging scheme for the ?nance industry. ISO 20022 makes it easier for companies to communicate with their banks consistently. It provides a uni?ed model across various business domains, including payments, securities, trade and card services, and foreign exchange (FX). It also serves as a guideline for all participants in cross-border communication. As a shared foundation, it enables service providers worldwide to develop new services and continuously enhance user experiences. Cookie Settings Accept We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 1/12

2. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM THE NEED TO MOVE FROM SWIFT MT TO ISO 20022 MX MESSAGES Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard On March 20, 2023, the Cross-Border Payments and Reporting (CBPR+) migration to the ISO 20022 standard began successfully, marking a landmark achievement for the global payments sector. SWIFT MT (message text) and ISO 20022 message formats (MX-message text in XML format) will coexist until November 2025, the deadline SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) set. After this deadline, most MT messages will no longer be allowed. By 2025, ISO 20022 will become the universal standard for high or large-value payment systems involving all reserve currencies. This SWIFT ISO 20022 migration, facilitated by CBPR+, is part of an initiative to establish a uni?ed standardization approach for all ?nancial standards initiatives to create a new global payment standard. The CBPR+ exchanges encompass more than 1,000 BICs on the sending side and over 5,000 BICs on the receiving side. Notably, one-quarter of the received tra?c is in ISO 20022 format, and this conversion is achieved without any intervention from the in-?ow translation service. Although SWIFT has introduced many changes and innovations to the traditional MT messaging system, the evolving ?nancial markets have demanded more than the original design. Consequently, most ?rms had to customize MT messages to address their speci?c needs. For example, ?eld 72 in an MT103 has been extended to accommodate relevant payment information that doesn’t ?t within the standard ?elds of the message. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. In response, the industry has decided to entirely replace the old MT standards with MX messages because they comply with ISO 20022 standards. Adopting the MX format will be progressive but Accept Cookie Settings https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 2/12

3. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM will depend on the speed of its adoption by countries or regions. The transition from the legacy MT messaging to the data-rich ISO MX standard represents a positive step toward innovation. Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard Those institutions that do not migrate to ISO 20022 cannot match competitors’ services; they risk incompatibility and lag in the industry, potentially losing global customers. Also, non-compliant banks risk payment ine?ciencies due to manual interventions, Straight-through Processing (STP) issues, and compliance challenges. Real-time gross settlement systems (RTGSs) in many signi?cant domestic markets, including Australia, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand, began migrating to ISO 20022 on March 20, with more to follow in the coming months and years. DATA INTEGRATION REDEFINED: TRANSFORMING PAYMENT AND BANKING SERVICES WITH DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS The implementation of ISO 20022 has rede?ned data integration, offering signi?cant opportunities to extract maximum value from ?nancial transactions and data within the ?nancial industry. It ensures that all relevant ISO payment-related information, such as payment amount, currency, bene?ciary information, payment purpose, payment initiation date, etc., is captured in a consistent format, regardless of the underlying payment system or network. We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some ISO 20022 has enhanced data quality by providing the following: cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy Enriched data: This includes adding new ?elds and more comprehensive information within the existing ?elds, resulting in a richer dataset for ?nancial transactions. Cookie Settings Accept https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 3/12

4. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard Highly structured data: ISO 20022 de?nes a well-structured format for presenting information, ensuring a standardized and consistent approach to data representation. Extensive data dictionary: The updated messaging standard is a comprehensive data library for essential business terms, including crucial payment terms that can be universally reused. The ISO 20022 message model enables organizations to create globally applicable messages. Data dictionaries enhance interoperability and reduce ambiguity in message processing. Given the above-mentioned data quality features, ISO 20022 offers an extensive dataset that can be integrated to provide a 360-degree view of customer journeys and enhance the credibility of ?nancial institutions resulting in numerous advantages and opportunities as explained below. ● Enhances customer experience With access to granular data, ?nancial institutions can develop better services and customize products based on deeper insights into customers’ preferences and requirements. For example, traditional credit scoring methods often overlook large groups of individuals who lack conventional spending habits or credit histories, even though they can comfortably repay loans. ISO 20022 ecosystem opens the door to a broader array of datasets, allowing ?nancial institutions to assess a customer’s creditworthiness more comprehensively. ● Improves payment e?ciency & data carrying capacity Increased data granularity improves the accuracy and e?ciency of payment processing, facilitating faster and more reliable settlement. The ISO 20022 data standard uses an extensible markup language (XML) format that is descriptive and user-friendly. The MX message type is an XML-based alternative to the MT message type. MX messages are notably longer than existing MT messages, capturing more data with a hierarchical structure that enables logical data grouping. For example, ISO 20022 standard introduces new data ?elds that offer additional transaction details, such as payment purpose, type, and associated fees, enhancing the overall payment experience. ● Improves tardy reconciliation process The limited space in MT formats can lead to truncated or lost remittance information, causing payment processing delays and potential transaction rejections. In contrast, ISO 20022’s dedicated element structure allows speci?c business data instructions, creating a dynamic and enhanced data model. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. These structured elements promote interoperability and smooth message exchange between regions. ISO 20022 introduces new features like extended remittance information, which primarily exists in free format in the current MT format and poses challenges for proper tagging. Accept Cookie Settings https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 4/12

5. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM REVOLUTIONIZING CROSS-BORDER PAYMENTS: ACHIEVING GLOBAL INTEROPERABILITY WITH ISO 20022 Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard Traditional money transfer methods across borders have evolved signi?cantly. Initially, people used three methods: Physical cash Using acquaintances or couriers Trust-based broker networks However, these communication networks alone couldn’t solve the prerequisite for reliable cross- border payments infrastructure. Currencies as closed-loop systems hindered moving money between domestic payment systems in different countries. The solution was correspondent banking. But international payments to all countries and banks globally still present a challenge. Establishing branches everywhere or managing numerous direct relationships and accounts are complex tasks, even for the most prominent international banks. Currently, cross-border transactions banking rely on fragmented standards, leading to challenges in managing communication between Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs), Financial Institutions (FIs), and Machines. Sending money across borders comes with unique challenges, including: Data security & fraud prevention Lack of transparency in international payments Complexities of local taxation We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy Accept Cookie Settings https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 5/12

6. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard The global adoption of ISO 20022 promises to usher in a new era of streamlined, e?cient, and secure international payments. The standard offers the following bene?ts in cross-border settlements: ● Global interoperability and standardization Achieving seamless cross-border transactions involves collaboration, common standards, and enhanced regulatory frameworks. This requires complex interoperability between stakeholders, including harmonizing procedures like know-your-customer, currency conversion, and legal jurisdiction. ISO 20022 holds the potential to signi?cantly reduce friction in cross-border payments through two important mechanisms. Central banks that share a common messaging standard will be able to conduct more transactions and exchange richer information crucial for clearing, including KYC data and AML/CFT reporting. Even if a few major institutions embrace this international standard for essential ?nancial infrastructure, it can incentivize payment providers to modernize their messaging systems and adopt new standards; in other words, it can cause a ripple effect nudging a wider adoption. We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy ● Greater automation & improved straight-through processing (STP) Accept Standardized and structured data enable ?nancial institutions to automate data validation, reconciliation, and processing, eliminating the need for manual reviews or corrections. This Cookie Settings https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 6/12

7. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM streamlined approach enhances operational e?ciency, reduces costs, and accelerates transaction timelines. Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard Also, in the ISO 20022 payments industry, e?ciency is gauged by the level of STP, representing the percentage of transactions smoothly processed from start to ?nish without manual intervention. In simple words, ISO 20022 creates a cascade of bene?ts – granular data leads to enhanced data- driven insights, data integration, standardization, and interoperability, which fuels automation, improving Straight Through Processing (STP) rates and reducing maintenance costs for different formats. ● Enhanced compliance and fraud prevention ISO 20022 payment messages improve fraud prevention capabilities and streamline regulatory reporting activities by incorporating speci?c elements like purpose codes, regulatory reporting, and tax identi?cation. This comprehensive approach offers a clearer view of an institution’s transactions and complements existing analytics tools, simplifying ISO payment tracking. Consequently, ISO 20022 facilitates compliance with regulatory mandates for data completeness and processing quality. NAVIGATING THE HURDLES IN IMPLEMENTING ISO 20022 The migration to ISO 20022 can become intricate due to various factors, primarily because its in?uence extends beyond cash transactions to the entire payments value chain. The rapid adoption of ISO 20022 in the global payments system poses substantial challenges for service providers. ● Legacy infrastructure Legacy systems present obstacles in adopting ISO 20022 due to their incompatible language and stringent message formats, which even surpass the previous ISO 15022 standard. Furthermore, ISO 20022 frequently updates its message standards and regularly releases new versions of message types, adding another layer of complexity to the ISO 20022 implementation process. ● Cost Global banks currently face the pressure of constrained margins, primarily due to lower interest rates and other factors. As a result, their technology budgets have become limited. In this context, undertaking large-scale payment transformation projects becomes challenging for banks. Various other factors contribute to the ?nancial burden faced by organizations looking to adopt the standard, such as: Policy We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Accept Cookie Settings Upgrading infrastructure https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 7/12

8. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard Data mapping and translation Training and skill development Testing and compliance Continuous updates and maintenance ● Timelines and deadlines As the deadlines draw near, banks face competitive pressure to adopt the ISO 20022 standard and risk rendering their existing products and services inoperable if they fail to act. Finalizing an ISO 20022 implementation plan that thoroughly documents all payment scheme considerations and establishes milestones presents a challenge for banks Comprehensive data model Extensive message library Customization and business rules Impact on existing systems BEST PRACTICES FOR ISO 20022 MIGRATION Banks and ?nancial institutions are experiencing notable changes encompassing various aspects, such as operations, infrastructure, and technology. Successfully addressing these challenges will be pivotal for their success in transitioning to ISO 20022 and adapting to the dynamic ?nancial landscape. The institutions should consider a few best practices before ISO 20022 migration. ● Understanding the standard and handling the ISO migration timeline As anticipated with a signi?cant global market change like ISO 20022, the involvement of numerous market participants has resulted in diverging timelines and implementation rulebooks over time. Institutions must form a well-structured migration team to address this, de?ning clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels. This team must work closely with stakeholders, including technology vendors, service providers, and industry bodies, to remain informed about the latest standards, guidelines, and best practices for ISO 20022 implementation. The team must have a comprehensive understanding of the ISO 20022 standard, its data model, and message types before initiating the ISO migration process. We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy ● Performing a thorough impact analysis Conduct a thorough impact analysis to understand how ISO 20022 migration will affect the organization’s systems, processes, stakeholders, interfaces, data mapping, and compliance requirements, among other aspects. Accept Cookie Settings https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 8/12

9. 11/24/23, 4:25 PM For example, one of the most signi?cant challenges during ISO migration is data truncation, where data is lost when switching from legacy to new standards. Data truncation can lead to payment processing errors. Streamlining Transactions Worldwide: An In-Depth Look at ISO 20022 Messaging Standard For instance, if the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso were to receive a payment today, the payment would be addressed to “Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso” (a lengthy name indeed!) which would not be a problem in ISO 20022 but may be cut off when converted to MT format, resulting in the name being recorded as “Pablo Diego José Francisco,” potentially raising compliance concerns. To effectively address this challenge, banks must prioritize solutions capable of handling data truncation and e?ciently managing transaction data. ● Engage with technology partners and tools Many ?nancial institutions heavily rely on legacy systems, which can be complex and costly to update and meet new requirements. Opting for a partner with a proven solution, including various messaging protocols and seamless integration in existing infrastructure, is vital for completing the ISO 20022 migration. ● Invest in staff training and awareness Financial institutions must invest in providing training and skill development programs to empower staff with the knowledge to work effectively with the ISO 20022 ecosystem. Training should cover ISO 20022 fundamentals, message types, data elements, and mapping for various user groups: business users, IT teams, operations staff, and compliance o?cers. TECHWAVE’S ISO 20022 MESSAGING STANDARD AND CROSS-BORDER PAYMENT AND DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES It’s clear that ISO 20022 standard is the way forward. While the bene?ts are impressive, the challenges are overwhelming but not unbeatable. A payments data management service provider can help banks and ?nancial institutions implement the best practices and address the obstacles effectively. Techwave has expertise in the cross-border payments domain and assists in streamlining all these best practices to support you effectively with ISO 20022 Payments Data Management, App Modernization, and API Ecosystem Management services. We use cookies to give you a wonderful user experience. But as per preference, you can turn some cookies off by clicking on 'Manage Cookies'. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our updated Techwave Cookie Policy.Techwave Cookie Policy PREVIOUS POST Enhancing Connectivity: Tackling Wireline Engineering Challenges in Rural Areas Accept Cookie Settings https://techwave.net/streamlining-transactions-worldwide-an-in-depth-look-at-iso-20022-messaging-standard/ 9/12

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