Rethinking cross-border payments: the role of the Legal Entity Identifier

13 detsember 2022

The LEI is the key to more efficient payment processes

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has made a ground-breaking recommendation: The broader use of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) in global payments. This initiative is intended to revolutionise cross-border payments and improve security, transparency and efficiency in the global payments ecosystem.

The FSB’s recommendation is part of the G20 roadmap to improve cross-border payments and aims to establish the LEI as the primary means of identifying payers and recipients. Banks and financial institutions are encouraged to integrate the LEI into their infrastructure to enable faster and more cost-effective payment processing.

Advantages of the Legal Entity Identifier in Payment Transactions

The implementation of the LEI in payment transactions brings several advantages:

Unique identification:

the LEI enables the immediate and automatic identification of payers and payees.

Greater efficiency:

The integration of the LEI in payment messages facilitates straight-through processing (STP).

Compliance support:

The LEI optimises KYC checks and facilitates compliance with sanctions and money laundering regulations.

Cost reduction:

Faster and more transparent transactions lead to lower operating costs.

Current developments and global support

The FSB’s recommendation has triggered positive reactions worldwide. Here are some highlights:

EU initiatives:

The European Commission has recognised the LEI as a key tool in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Bank of England:

From 2024, the use of the LEI in CHAPS payments will be mandatory under certain conditions

Reserve Bank of India:

Since 2021, the LEI is required for all payment transactions over 50 crore rupees

China:

The Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) relies on the LEI to facilitate cross-border RMB transactions.

Why now is the right time

Banks and financial institutions are facing a historic opportunity. Integrating the LEI into their payment infrastructure offers competitive advantages and the chance to act as a validation agent in the Global LEI System. This enables:

Improved client experience:

more straightforward and faster LEI issuance processes.

Efficiency gains:

Optimisation of client lifecycle management.

Digital transformation:

A step towards modern and secure payment processing.

Conclusion: The LEI is the future of payment transactions

The comprehensive use of the Legal Entity Identifier in payment transactions is a decisive step towards a globally networked and secure economy. Banks and financial institutions that adopt the LEI early will benefit from improved efficiency, increased compliance and greater customer trust.