Single Euro Payments Area

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Dakkus
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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by Dakkus »

tabbs wrote:The European Parliament agreed to the SEPA "migration deadline" of 1 February 2014 yesterday. By that time, all payments within the euro area (domestic or cross-border) will be SEPA payments and use the International Bank Account Number (IBAN).

(news article) http://www.fx-mm.com/12365/news/meps-vo ... -deadline/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(EP press release) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/p ... r-payments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(EP interview) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/h ... c-payments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After Feb-2014, banks may still allow their customers to use older account identifiers (in Germany, for example, that would be the BLZ bank code and the account number) for another two years when making a payment. But then the bank needs to "internally" convert the data to the IBAN system. This transition phase will end in Feb-2016.

Current both the BIC and the IBAN are needed when making a cross-border transfer in the euro area. As from Feb-2014 the IBAN alone will be sufficient for domestic payments; two years later the BIC will not be necessary for other euro area payments either.

Christian
Funnily enough, this deadline was originally 1.1.2010. Some time after the beginning of 2010 they noticed that apparently only Finland had obeyed it :D
We'll see, if this 2014 deadline will be any different from the one in 2010...
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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by tabbs »

Who knows. :) But now the deadline is part of an EU regulation, published in yesterday's Official Journal issue:
http://www.europeanpaymentscouncil.eu/n ... ews_id=315" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/Lex ... 037:EN:PDF" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Christian
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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by lmviterbo »

A new video for the general public on the ECB's YouTube channel: youtu.be/c7B_fAYpEvM

Nothing really new here, just good to know that the deadlines are still the same.
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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by tabbs »

Right, same deadlines as before ... except nobody knows whether they will be met everywhere.
http://www.ecb.europa.eu/paym/sepa/abou ... indicators" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then again, between Jan-1999 and Dec-2001 people and companies had three full years for the euro changeover. And we all know how these things often work: Two more years? zzzZZZ. Still one year? zzzZZZ. Just a few days left? Action!! ;)

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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by Ewri »

thanks to the new SEPA regulations, I'm having to work for extra hours to see that we are well prepared for its introduction. :(
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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by tabbs »

These days I get quite a few notifications about my direct debit authorizations being automatically converted into the new SEPA format (with IBAN and BIC). Some companies/organizations do the conversion now or very soon, most (as far as I can tell) pick 1-Jan, and some wait until the "end" on 1-Feb. The latter option may not be a good idea, but as long as things work smoothly ...

Christian
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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by tabbs »

tabbs wrote:and some wait until the "end" on 1-Feb. The latter option may not be a good idea, but as long as things work smoothly ...
... and some apparently wait even longer. Today Commissioner Barnier announced that the 1 Feb deadline is ... dead. :roll: The European Commission proposed a six month extension. Quote: "In practice this means the deadline for migration remains 1 February 2014 but payments that differ from a SEPA format could continue to be accepted until 1 August 2014." http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-6_en.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

( Edit 2014-01-23: It is official now. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/c ... 140734.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

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Re: Single Euro Payments Area

Post by Alitels »

The new Payment Services Directive (PSD) aims to make cashless payments simpler and faster, which is definitely a positive step forward for the EU's financial ecosystem. By standardizing payment procedures like transfers and direct debits, it should streamline transactions across member states, making cross-border payments smoother and more efficient.

Regarding your point about the potential reduction in the use of cash, it's true that these changes could encourage people to rely more on electronic payment methods. However, cash still holds a significant place for many, especially in smaller transactions or among people who prefer it for privacy or security reasons. The key will be balancing convenience with the preservation of options for those who still value cash-based systems.

It’ll be interesting to see how this impacts the banking landscape in Europe and whether it leads to further innovations in payment technologies.
Recently implemented a payment system from linkpay.io in my business. This helped to bring payments in business to a new level, thereby making them more convenient and secure.
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