Latest Payments reports and research: Finextra Research

Event Report

Modernising liquidity management for real-time banking

The rapid adoption of real-time payments is fundamentally transforming the financial services landscape, creating both new challenges and significant opportunities for banks and their corporate clients. As the industry moves beyond traditional, batch-based processes, financial institutions are under increasing pressure to modernise their liquidity management systems and embrace advanced technologies to remain resilient and competitive in a 24/7, real-time environment. Success in this dynamic market now hinges on the ability to adapt swiftly and strategically. By investing in robust APIs and real-time data integration tools, banks can achieve greater visibility and control over liquidity positions, streamline processes, and reduce operational costs. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) further elevates operational efficiency, enabling predictive insights, enhanced reliability in payment systems, and improved customer experiences. These technologies are not just enablers — they are becoming essential for maintaining financial stability and meeting the evolving demands of clients in an increasingly digital and instant world. This report highlights the key takeaways of a Finextra webinar, hosted in association with Tietoevry, by a panel of industry experts. Discover: The shortfalls of liquidity systems in a real-time world; An examination of the bank - corporate relationship; Why APIs and AI are game changers.

28 October 2025 5 downloads

Event Report

Tackling the next ISO 20022 milestone: Structured addresses

Unstructured address data will be phased out in November 2026. What do banks need to do to prepare? The first critical ISO 20022 deadline is upon us in November 2025, as the CBPR+ coexistence period ends. However, the transition does not stop there and the next migration is right ahead: from unstructured to structured addresses. Whereas traditionally, addresses could be entered both in both structured and unstructured formats, in November 2025, a hybrid option will become available. In November 2026, unstructured address formats will be phased out. Migrating to ISO 20022 structured addresses offers banks a strategic opportunity to modernise their payments infrastructure. However, this transition demands a comprehensive overhaul of address data management, storage, and utilisation across systems. This report highlights the key takeaways of a Finextra webinar, hosted in association with RedCompass Labs, by a panel of industry experts. Discover: Industry readiness for the ISO 20022 structured address migration; How banks can create strong data strategies; The roadmap toward structured addresses; and How to overcome the key migration challenges.

24 October 2025 101 downloads

Impact Study

AI’s promise-delivery gap: Bridging the chasm with process orchestration

As financial services’ AI arms race accelerates, institutions must now begin to produce concrete results for the benefit of their clients, internal operations, and investors. How can FIs ensure their AI implementations live up to expectations? The financial services industry is past the point of experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI). Statista finds that AI investment across the sector reached an estimated $45 billion USD in 2024 versus $35 billion in 2023 – with almost 70% of financial services firms having reported AI-driven revenue increases. Yet, despite this overwhelming buy-in, it seems that countless institutions still do not access the full potential of their investments. Gartner predicts that over 40% of agentic AI projects (one of the technology’s latest use cases) will be cancelled by the end of 2027. In the United States, meanwhile, bank productivity is declining despite the sector’s high technology spend, underlining an urgent need to more effectively implement AI. The key to unlocking AI’s enterprise value is embedding it within orchestrated, automated processes. This provides AI with governance, auditability, and the flexibility to adapt in real-time. In fact, the firms that embed AI within orchestrated, governed processes will lead the next era of technological transformation. This Finextra impact study, in association with Appian, analyses the gap between AI’s potential and its current impact. We explore: The current state of AI in financial services; The orchestration imperative; How to successfully scale AI; and Case studies for real-world AI implementation.

08 October 2025 120 downloads

Event Report

Faster & further: 2025 insights on the evolution of the Nordic payments landscape

What's shaping Nordic payments? As NextGen Nordics 2025 unfolded in Stockholm, Sweden, there was a keen sense of discussion and debate. In particular, the conversation focused on how the Nordic region has been evolving to meet the intersection of instant and cross-border payments. As a discussion, some remained optimistic and positive about the efforts made, whilst others were less impressed and more cynical about the region’s ability to meet regulatory deadlines and improve its readiness. Sourced from FinextraTV interviews filmed at the event, this report helps to break down some of the key talking points. From the impact of fraud on faster cross-border payments to the inability of banks to catch up to customer expectations, this report guides you through the (sometimes clashing) consensus on Nordic payments progress. Discover: Why cross-border payments demands outpace banks; How digital first players are reshaping the industry; How the Nordics are maintaining instant payments progress; The necessity of strong safeguards; And more. Save the date for NextGen Nordics 2026 in Stockholm – Tuesday, 28th April 2026 Get involved – Register your interest here.

03 October 2025 152 downloads

Survey

Payments 2030: What’s shaping the future?

Assessing the global state of payments modernisation in our latest Finextra survey. As we approach 2030, the payments landscape is transforming faster than ever. Many financial institutions across the world are on a digital transformation journey, investing in new technologies. However, many are held back by legacy systems in a world where speed, resilience, and reliability are critical. Finextra Research, in association with ACI Worldwide, surveyed 162 global industry leaders in the summer of 2025 to reveal how organisations are aligning their payments strategies with market and regulatory demands, the challenges they face, and the technological and operational shifts shaping investment decisions. Input from leaders at The Clearing House, Deutsche Bank, and the US Faster Payments Council reinforce both the significant progress made and the critical work ahead. As financial institutions navigate ongoing shifts in the payments landscape, modernising cloud and infrastructure capabilities has become central to delivering real-time, resilient, and scalable services. Download this Finextra survey report, produced in association with ACI Worldwide, to discover: Current and predicted cloud adoption trends; Instant payment plans and adoption timelines; A2A payment growth forecasts; Readiness for rising digital payment volumes; Budget priorities for compliance vs innovation; Innovations set to disrupt the payments ecosystem; and Strategies for navigating regulatory pressures such as ISO 20022.

25 September 2025 716 downloads

Future of Report

The Future of Cross Border Payments 2026: Strategies for Success

A special edition for Sibos Europe 2025 The pace of the financial industry is unrivalled. The cross-border payments landscape is rapidly evolving and maturing as emerging technologies develop, new regulations come into play, fraud dominates, and global consumers demand instant payments. How is the industry responding to these changes, and what strategies are banking experts and leaders deploying to combat the onslaught of challenges as the future draws nearer? Sibos 2025 in Frankfurt will be a forum for conversation on the next steps for the financial sector, and how to conquer the next frontier of global finance. This Finextra report analyses key innovations, explorations, and sentiments on the cross-border payments landscape, featuring key insights from Absa CIB, BNY, Crown Agents Bank, Commerzbank, the Financial Conduct Authority, FV Bank, HSBC, ING, Januar, JP Morgan, National Australian Bank, RBI, Santander, Société Générale, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, State Street, and ZA Bank. It discusses: Agentic AI and GenAI revolutionising cross-border payments; The implications of a post-ISO 20022 migration world; How banks are future-proofing their cross-border payments frameworks; Financial crime and fraud prevention in payments; The digital transition to cloud native infrastructure; Challenges and opportunities in instant payments; How rapidly emerging technologies will define the future of cross-border payments.

17 September 2025 775 downloads

Event Report

The Outsourcing Imperative: The strategic importance of partnerships for cloud-based payments

The financial services industry is at a pivotal moment where cloud technology and strategic outsourcing offer pathways to enhanced operational efficiency and competitiveness. Explore the Outsourcing Imperative. In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, managing complex financial systems has become increasingly challenging for banking providers. The demands of mature cloud technology, evolving payment rails, and channels such as real-time cross-border payments and stablecoins require innovative solutions. Additionally, regulatory differences by country and region add another layer of complexity, especially for banks operating across multiple borders. With the buzz around generative AI and other emerging tools, financial institutions must consider outsourcing certain functions to maintain competitiveness and efficiency. Enhancing user experience and regulatory compliance are paramount, as customers now expect a variety of payment options, from digital wallets to AI-driven payment agents. Outsourcing becomes key in today’s payments landscape, and financial institutions are increasingly turning to Payments as a Service (PaaS) to navigate the complexities of modern banking operations. This report highlights the key takeaways of a Finextra webinar, hosted in association with FIS, by a panel of industry experts. Discover: Drivers for adopting cloud-based payments; Why banks and cloud are still an unfinished story; Why outsourcing is necessary in today's payments landscape; and How banks can change the status quo through partnerships.

30 July 2025 191 downloads

Event Report

Modern payments excellence: Exploring diversification of channels, orchestration, and regulation

In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, integrating new payment channels has become essential for institutions aiming to stay competitive. Whether it's card-based, account-to-account, instant, or mobile—technological advancements and changing consumer preferences drive the need for diversified payment methods, requiring a strategic approach by banks often still too burdened by legacy to ensure seamless customer experiences and robust compliance. Financial institutions must not only navigate architectural complexities, but balance this with regulatory demands, and the integration of new technologies, all while maintaining the agility to adapt to future innovations. Managing these challenges effectively is crucial for serving clients and customers in the best way possible, providing them with a wide range of choices and ensuring the availability of services in a time where outages still too often make the news. Leveraging modern technologies like tokenisation and APIs, financial institutions can create dynamic systems that cater to diverse consumer needs, enabling seamless management of multiple products and accounts. This openness is key to fostering resilience and driving change within the industry. This report highlights the key takeaways of a Finextra webinar, hosted in association with Diebold Nixdorf, by a panel of industry experts. Discover: How banks can keep pace in a digital, instant world; Ensuring payments resilience and the impact of regulation; Key modern infrastructure requirements; and The benefits of microservices architecture.

25 July 2025 275 downloads

Event Report

Cross-border payments as the next fintech frontier

Economic, regulatory, and technological insights for enhanced cross-border solutions amidst economic uncertainty. Cross-border payments have become integral to the global financial ecosystem, driven by the expansion of international business operations. The need for efficient, secure, and cost-effective payment solutions is more pressing than ever, and fintechs are a crucial cog in the cross-border machine. In 2025, businesses must contend with a dynamic financial environment shaped by market volatility, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. Factors like tariffs, sanctions, and supply chain shifts significantly impact foreign currency reserves, requiring agility from financial institutions and fintechs alike. To stay competitive, organisations must be more agile than ever before to leverage cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships, in order to enable them to respond swiftly to changes and maintain a competitive edge. This report highlights the key takeaways of a Finextra webinar, hosted in association with Visa Direct, by a panel of industry experts. Discover how cross-border payments are affected by: Economic and geopolitical considerations; Technology and other fintech advantages; Interoperability and regulatory considerations; and CBDCs, stablecoins, and other innovations in the cross-border space.

18 July 2025 556 downloads

Impact Study

How can businesses bridge the gaps in their cashflow?

Macroeconomic forces are ratcheting up the cashflow pressures of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large middle market (LMM) enterprises. How can they optimise cashflow? While the consumer space has experienced a wave of digitisation – with credit initiatives thriving, such as embedded finance and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes – the equivalent trend has been slower to advance within the business world. This may be for several reasons, such as structural, regulatory and governance delays – particularly in Central Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, given the increasingly debit-heavy market in Europe, the need for cashflow solutions remains. More than ever, businesses stand to benefit from revolving credit facilities (RFC) to bridge gaps in their working capital, boost liquidity and sharpen their short-term financial health. Such solutions offer a means to weather the unpredictability of global market forces and get behind new projects that require upfront investment, like expansions or productivity hikes. Some SMB markets, however, show more receptiveness than others. In France, Italy and Germany, there has been strong adoption of deferred debit, along with overdrafts and loans – with less enthusiasm for classic RCFs. The United Kingdom (UK)’s SMB sector, meanwhile, has welcomed credit cards to bolster its books. Yet across the board there is a need for solutions that are tailored to each vertical and cover the full gamut of businesses’ modern-day requirements, including transparent e-invoicing, dynamic discounting, chargebacks, factoring, interest-free credit, digitisation, and so on. Historically, banks have been good at serving the large corporate space vertically, though not so good in the SMB space; typically viewing it from a one-size-fits-all perspective. This approach is no longer tenable, as evidenced by the success of newer entrants. SMBs and LMMs are not just looking to hand down instant and embedded credit services to their customers, they are looking to pass it on to the organisations they transact with – ensuring their sales journey and purchasing experience is cutting-edge and flexible. This Finextra impact study, in association with Visa, explores: New market pressures and the evolving needs of SMBs and LMMs; How organisations can bridge cashflow gaps with working capital solutions; The benefits of tailoring solutions by vertical; and Real-life case studies to showcase the options available.

11 July 2025 134 downloads

Impact Study

Case Management: The key to revolutionising cross-border payments

While the challenges of case management and inefficient E&I processes are not new, the need to address them is more pressing than ever – especially given the G20’s roadmap deadline and the impending global migration to ISO 20022. In today’s digital era, end-users expect payments to be faster, cheaper and more convenient than ever before – whether domestic or cross-border. As global payment barriers are overcome, banks are tasked not only with meeting customer demands, but business and regulatory ones too. Enhanced cross-border payments – as supported by the G20’s roadmap and the richer data that ISO 20022 provides – are becoming a real differentiator, with the capability to unlock tremendous value for institutions. However, while a lot of attention is paid to seamless transactions, one area has historically been overlooked: exceptions and investigations (E&I). This continues to present a significant challenge for both payment providers and corporates, and is impacting numerous networks and technologies. Yet, if harnessed effectively, E&I tools can help institutions significantly reduce costs, speed up processing times, improve transparency and, by extension, satisfy the G20’s targets. This Finextra impact study, in partnership with Swift, explores: The advantages of effective E&I processes; Why solutions are needed to reach the next level; and How banks can effectively embed them in their infrastructures.

25 June 2025 315 downloads

Future of Report

The future of payments in major global markets: A mid-decade review

2025 is a significant year for the global payments industry. Marking the midpoint of the decade, and witnessing pivotal trends like the rise of real-time payments, advanced fraud detection and prevention, data portability, and open finance—these interlinked developments will set the stage for innovation through to 2030 and beyond. The payments industry is now at the tipping point of global innovation, especially with global e-commerce market revenue projected to reach over $4.3 billion in 2025 and grow by 8% (CAGR 2025-2029). Further, by 2026, 5.2 billion people, or more than 60% of the global population, are expected to use digital wallets. The value of global transactions through account-to-account (A2A) payments is also predicted to rise from $1.7 trillion in 2024 to $5.7 trillion by 2029 – an increase of 230%. This will also pave the way for real-time payments to boom, with an expected CAGR of over 35% from 2024 to 2032. Looking at major global markets, the UK has continued to be at the forefront of the global payments revolution, quickly emerging as a hub for open banking as a result of the PSD2 directive and the UK’s pioneering standard. In October 2024, the Data Use and Access Bill was introduced to the House of Lords, signalling the UK’s commitment to bolstering open banking’s data sharing principles. Similarly, a month later, the National Payments Vision was unveiled, charting a clear path for the entire ecosystem to leverage technologies such as AI and DLT. The payments revolution is also taking over Europe. The Instant Payments Regulation (IPR) is rolling out instant payments by amending SEPA and adding specific provisions on instant credit transfers in euro to existing cross-border regulation: the Settlement Finality Directive (SFD) and the Payment Services Directive (PSD2). IPR also demands for Verification of Payee (VoP), confirming a recipient's account details before a payment is made and bringing down increasing numbers of fraud, particularly in the instant payments space. Similar to other regions, the US has made significant steps toward the innovation and interoperability of real-time payments – most recently through the launch of FedNow in 2023, the Federal Reserve’s real-time payment rail. Predictions show a total value of $95 billion in-app social commerce payments by 2030 in the US alone, meaning the integration of open banking is pivotal to maximising the value to be gained from e-commerce. However, the impact of the Trump administration’s strains on the CFPB and how that will effect Section 1033 and open banking in the US will be seen. This Finextra report, in association with Form3, examines the impact of these crucial advancements on the future of global payment schemes in the UK, Europe and the US, highlighting insights from experts at Bank of America, Crédit Agricole, ING, J.P. Morgan Payments, Lloyds, Santander, and Truist.

23 June 2025 590 downloads

Report

PaaS, cloud and instant payments: Navigating the outsourcing question

Today’s institutions are in some ways faced with far greater challenges than ever before. Be it from the demand for ever-faster services; the pressure of always-on compliance; or the need to remain agile and competitive. Is PaaS the holy grail FIs have been looking for? Outsourcing payments is an increasingly irresistible proposition for FIs. With end-user demand constantly evolving; real-time requirements on the rise; macro-economic trends becoming ever more unpredictable; and the pressure of regulatory compliance ratcheting up, the provision of proprietary payments has become a thorny pursuit. Enter the stage: cloud technology. By leveraging modern tools and techniques to build, deploy, run, and manage software in a cloud-computing environment, FIs of all kinds can take advantage of scalability, elasticity, and automation. But the benefits of Payments-as-a-Service (PaaS) can extend beyond these practicalities – serving to revolutionise bank operations, unlock broader efficiencies, and enrich the end-user experience. Mining this potential, however, obliges institutions to navigate some challenges. First, FIs must understand the potential of cloud-native technology as an engine for modernisation and embrace the cultural shift that is triggered by cuttingedge technologies. It may involve training, testing and concerted integration efforts. Another key challenge is delegation: which tasks should be handed to third parties, and which should remain in-house? Indeed, when systems evolve, FIs must always keep one eye on compliance. As ever, approach and growth potential are directly impacted by the type and size of the institution in question, so approaches should be tailored. This Finextra whitepaper, produced in association with FIS, evaluates: The key considerations when placing client transaction data in the public cloud; The art of delegation: Determining which tasks to offload; The role of regulation and compliance; and A PaaS checklist for finding the right solutions and partnerships. Register to watch the related Finextra webinar, hosted in association with FIS – PaaS, cloud and instant payments in the spotlight: Overcoming outsourcing challenges

09 June 2025 346 downloads

Future of Report

The Future of European Fintech 2025: A Money20/20 Special Edition

A special edition for Money20/20 Europe 2025. The European fintech space is seeing leaps and bounds in digital innovation, financial technology, and operational resilience. With incoming regulation focused on standarising the sector and disruptive fintech firms challenging banks - the ecosystem is in a transitional period. Among these challenges, the fintech boom is sweeping the continent. New developments in AI, tokenisation, digital identity, open banking, and more is redefining the banking sector. Europe is primed to act as the epicentre for global fintech innovation. This Finextra report dives into industry sentiment on what the future holds for European fintech, featuring key insights from NatWest Group, Standard Chartered, BNY Mellon, Magnetiq Bank, GoCardless, Moore Kingston Smith, Stripe, and Augmentum Fintech. It explores: AI and predictive analytics integration in payments; Enabling financial inclusion and accessibility in emerging markets; The role of digital identity and behavioural biometrics in financial services; Innovation in regulatory practices; The revolutionary power of smart data and decentralised finance.

03 June 2025 472 downloads

Event Report

Business@EBAday 2025

Your Essential Guide to Payments Innovation: Business@EBAday 2025 is Here! Business@EBAday 2025 is your exclusive digital companion to this year's premier payments and transaction banking event. This comprehensive supplement provides the latest insights from the leading companies exhibiting and sponsoring EBAday, offering a unique perspective into the innovations driving our industry forward. What's Inside? Inside, you'll find articles and thought leadership pieces covering the most critical topics in payments today, including: The Road Ahead for ISO 20022 Migration: Understand the challenges, opportunities, and strategic implications as the industry moves towards richer data. Strengthening Defenses with Verification of Payee (VoP): Explore the latest strategies and technologies in fraud prevention. The Transformative Power of AI in Payments: Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping operations, enhancing security, and creating new possibilities. Unlocking Efficiency with Virtual Accounts and Instant Payments: Dive into cutting-edge solutions for streamlined liquidity management and real-time processing. And much more! Hear diverse perspectives on cross-border payments, regulatory shifts, building robust ecosystems, and achieving operational excellence. This supplement is an invaluable resource for: Payments professionals seeking strategic foresight. Financial institutions looking for actionable insights. Fintech innovators exploring collaborative opportunities. Anyone keen to understand the future trajectory of the payments industry. Get a head start on the EBAday experience and equip yourself with knowledge from the industry's thought leaders. Have a look inside! Business@EBAday 2025 is produced jointly by EBA and Finextra Research.

19 May 2025 300 downloads