Speed and cost have always been the sticking points in cross-border payments. Customers expect instant, low-cost transfers. Yet Money Service Businesses (MSBs) and fintechs are often held back by long settlement chains, high fees, and operational inefficiencies. 

AI is changing that. 

By processing massive datasets in real time, AI is unlocking faster, smarter, and cheaper ways to move money across borders. 

Why Cross-Border Payments Lag Behind 

A single remittance can pass through several intermediaries. Each one takes time. Each one adds a fee. 

The result: 

• Transfers can take days 

• Costs remain stubbornly high 

• Customers grow frustrated and switch providers 

The World Bank estimates the global average remittance cost is 6.49%. For a competitive industry, that number is simply too high. 

How AI Optimises Payments 

AI isn’t just about automation. It’s about intelligence. 

Applied correctly, AI can: 

• Identify the fastest and cheapest payment routes instantly 

• Predict potential delays and re-route transactions before they fail 

• Monitor liquidity across multiple accounts and currencies 

• Optimise foreign exchange rates in real time 

This doesn’t just reduce costs. It improves reliability, which is just as critical for customer trust. 

👉 See how RemitONE’s AI modules optimise routing and FX for MSBs. 

Industry Momentum 

We’re already seeing the results: 

• SWIFT reports that 90% of wholesale payments now reach beneficiaries within one hour. 

• Fintech startups are using AI tools to forecast liquidity and cut operational overheads. 

The technology is moving quickly from pilots into production. 

For MSBs, this means the tools are not just for global banks — they’re accessible now, at an affordable level. 

Why This Matters for MSBs 

Customers expect fast payments at competitive rates. Providers that can’t deliver both risk losing business to rivals who can. 

AI makes it possible to: 

• Reduce transaction costs 

• Offer faster settlement times 

• Compete with larger players on efficiency 

This is particularly powerful for smaller MSBs, who often lack the economies of scale that global banks enjoy. 

👉 Explore how our AI bolt-ons give MSBs enterprise-grade payment intelligence. 

Where to Start 

The best entry points for AI in payments are: 

• Routing optimisation (reduce failures and delays) 

• FX rate monitoring (improve margins without manual effort) 

• Liquidity forecasting (stay ahead of cash flow risks) 

Each of these can be deployed as a modular upgrade, without disrupting existing systems. 

The Takeaway 

AI is levelling the playing field in cross-border payments. What once required massive infrastructure is now available through targeted, affordable solutions. 

For MSBs and fintechs, adopting AI in payment routing and FX is no longer optional — it’s a competitive necessity. 

Want to cut costs and speed up settlement times? 

Book a free strategy call to explore how AI bolt-ons can transform your payment flows.