How Money Service Businesses Can Stay Resilient During Political Instability
In today’s climate, political tensions are already shaping how money moves across borders. For money service businesses in cross-border payments, this can mean adapting to changing regulations, shifting corridor dynamics, and evolving customer behaviours.
While these situations can bring pressure, they also highlight an opportunity to build long-term resilience, as those who are equipped with the right tools and strategies can continue operating smoothly and supporting their customers without disruption.
Digitisation: keep funds moving
Let’s explore how your money transfer operations can remain stable in the current environment.
During periods of disruption, customers tend to gravitate towards faster, more accessible, and mobile-first options, prioritising reliability and speed over traditional in-person services.
Mobile wallets and open banking allow customers to send money securely, instantly, and without relying on physical locations.
By enabling digital access, businesses can ensure continuity, improve convenience, and meet customers where they are, helping transactions remain seamless, even as the landscape shifts.
Data shows:
- 5.2 billion people used digital wallets globally in 2025, over 60% of the world’s population.
- Visa and Mastercard pilots have shown stablecoins fees to be less than 1%, helping to improve margins for money service businesses (MSBs)
By embracing digital channels, businesses can gain:
- Operational continuity, even if branches or corridors are disrupted
- Lower costs and faster transfers for your customers
- Future-ready infrastructure, prepared for new trends like CBDCs and digital-first remittances
In short, the more digital your business, the easier it is to keep operations flowing. We’ve also kept this in mind by embedding digitisation at the core of our RemitONE system, with open banking and wallets integrated, alongside a customisable app for our clients to stay relevant to their customers’ changing needs and continue moving forward.
If you’re interested in these tools to future-proof your operations, you can get in touch at marketing@remitone.com or see which fit best based on your needs by booking a free demo
Strategic planning: adapting to disruption with AI
Having clear contingency plans in place before further problems appear is crucial, and technology plays an increasingly important role here. AI and automation are helping financial institutions detect risks earlier, anticipate fraud spikes, and maintain operational continuity during turbulent periods where they’re most exposed. Over 70% of financial institutions in the UK are already using AI in their workflows. In the same way, our AI tools help automate FX rates and fees to optimise margins, which you can see in action.
But resilience isn’t just about technology; it’s also how to stay afloat without it. If systems temporarily go down or digital channels are disrupted, businesses need reliable fallback methods to stay connected with their customers. Simple measures such as SMS notifications, alternative payment rails, or backup service channels can make the difference between a minor disruption and a full operational shutdown.
Ultimately, strategic planning ensures your customers never feel the disruption, even as the environment around them changes.
Regulations: staying compliant when the rules keep changing
If there’s one area businesses can’t afford to overlook during political uncertainty, it’s regulation. Sanctions lists change, compliance requirements tighten, and new rules can appear almost overnight. The UK’s move to a single sanctions list in January 2026, designed to simplify and clarify checks, is a good example of how fast the landscape can shift.
Keeping up with these changes manually can quickly become overwhelming. An oversight or delayed update can lead to heavy penalties, frozen transactions, or even the loss of operating licences.
That’s why automation is becoming essential. Having compliance systems that update regulatory lists and monitoring requirements in real time helps reduce risk and removes the constant pressure of manual checks. We provide this with our RemitONE Regulatory Compliance Manager (RCOM™).
It brings everything in one place – with over 350 global sanctions lists, real-time alerts, automated screening against 1.7M+ PEP records, and advanced reporting so teams don’t miss anything critical. It also provides full transaction visibility and configurable compliance rules to help regulators and financial institutions monitor activity, set specific rules, and stay ahead of regulatory changes without adding operational strain.
Compliance can run quietly in the background with the right tools, giving MSBs peace of mind to focus on growing.
If you’d like to know more about RCOM™, you can get in touch by booking a demo or emailing marketing@remitone.com for our brochure or any questions.
Diversifying corridors: never rely on just one market
In cross-border payments, relying heavily on a single corridor can quickly become a vulnerability. Especially when political tensions escalate, certain regions may face restrictions, sanctions, or banking disruptions, bringing transfers to an immediate halt.
But when one corridor slows down, having others already active allows your business to keep funds moving and revenue flowing.
Global remittance flows are expected to hit $5.4 trillion by 2030, driven by increasingly diverse diaspora communities sending money across multiple corridors worldwide. For money transfer operators, this creates opportunities to expand into new corridors that better serve their customers.
Diversifying corridors not only reduces operational risk; it also opens new revenue and strengthens connections with different diaspora communities.
However, a main challenge many banks and MSBs face is being slowed down by long licensing approval timelines when trying to enter new markets.
Many are turning to the Remittance-as-a-Service (RaaS) solution instead, as it allows businesses to enter new corridors in a matter of weeks while testing and adapting to new markets without the usual upfront commitment.
This makes it easier for MSBs to stay agile, respond to changing conditions, and gradually expand their reach, while continuing to operate within a compliant framework and explore new revenue opportunities across different corridors.
If you’d like to explore how this could enable faster expansion, you can book a call with our team to walk through it in more detail here: https://calendly.com/remitone-oussama/free-30min-consultation-website?
Building resilience for whatever comes next
Global uncertainties are realities the remittance industry will continue to face. While no business can predict exactly when disruptions will happen, the ones that stay ahead are those that build resilience into their operations through digitisation, strong compliance processes, strategic planning, and diversified corridors.
By putting the right systems and strategies in place, MSBs can continue doing what matters most: keeping funds moving for the communities that rely on them, no matter the external pressures.
If you’re looking to strengthen your operations and stay prepared for whatever comes next, explore the tools available through RemitONE, designed to support growth, stability, and compliance across global remittance operations.
You can book a call with our team or if you have any questions, email us at: marketing@remitone.com
Webinar Replay: Launch Cross-Border Remittance Services in Weeks with RaaS
Expanding into new remittance corridors has traditionally meant long licensing timelines, high upfront costs, and regulatory complexity. But the market isn’t waiting, and neither are your competitors.
In our latest webinar, we explored how banks, fintechs, and money service businesses are rethinking expansion using Remittance-as-a-Service (RaaS), allowing them to move faster, test smarter, and unlock new revenue streams without the usual barriers.
Here’s what you’ll take away:
- How to enter new corridors in weeks instead of years
- A smarter way to test markets before fully committing capital
- How to capture both sides of the corridor and increase revenue potential
- What a compliant, low-risk expansion strategy actually looks like today
- Practical steps to start scaling without operational strain
Discover why more leading players are turning to RaaS here:
If you’re exploring expansion or want to understand how RaaS could fit into your plans, it’s worth having a quick conversation. It’s an opportunity to see how RaaS might work within your current operations and spot potential challenges before they slow you down.
You can book a free call with Oussama here:
Faster, Smarter, Cheaper – How AI is Transforming Cross-Border Transactions
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.
Introducing The IPR Podcast: Talking Innovation in Payments & Remittances
We’re excited to announce the launch of The IPR Podcast, a brand-new series dedicated to bold conversations happening in cross-border payments.
Hosted by Aamer Abedi, this podcast is built for fintech leaders, money transfer operators, banks, and anyone shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features conversations with industry experts on the trends and technologies changing the game — and what they really mean for your business.
You’ll hear stories from the frontlines, discover new ideas, and walk away with strategies you can put into action.
Episode 1: Trump’s Tariffs — What Could They Mean for Your Business?
Next week, we kick off with a timely deep dive into proposed remittance tariffs in the US and how they could affect:
- Why certain corridors could become unprofitable
- How rising costs may affect customer loyalty
- What MTOs can do now to adapt and stay competitive
Subscribe now and be the first to tune in.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tZYluLixpm6MhwbLQxjzL?si=rqhOGDoHRmuHdFJZUJatZA
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqIwD4TK69h8higA91Ba9a1o1GU3sH2c
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-the-ipr-podcast-talking-innovation-in/id1822769031?i=1000714502161
Be Part of the Conversation
Got thoughts, questions, or ideas for future episodes? We’d love to hear from you, email us at: marketing@ipr-events.com
Want to be a guest?
We’re looking for people shaping the future of payments and remittances. If you’ve got insights or experiences worth sharing, reach out to us at: marketing@ipr-events.com
The Evolution and Impact of Digital Remittances
This article is brought to you in partnership with Visa.
The landscape of cross-border remittances has undergone a significant transformation over the past few
decades, moving away from being high-friction, expensive, and low transparency to being near real-time,
more cost-efficient, and more transparent.
The advent of digital remittance services has revolutionised this landscape. To enable this evolution, the
payments industry continues to make significant strides in the types of innovative solutions, the various
use cases, and the speed and costs of remittance services. This shift is reshaping how money is sent and
received globally, impacting millions of lives and economies.
The Digital Transformation
Digital remittances are now at the forefront of the industry, driven by advancements in mobile
technology and connectivity. Visa’s “Money Travels: Digital Remittances Adoption” Report found that
digital remittances are the preferred method among consumers across all surveyed countries, with 53%
of consumers turning to digital apps to send and receive funds around the world. According to the World
Bank, digital remittances are nearly 2% cheaper than cash remittances, which is a significant saving for
those sending money cross-border on a regular basis.
The benefits of digital remittances extend beyond just cost savings. These platforms offer speed, security,
and convenience, ensuring that funds are transferred quickly and safely. Of the estimated 200 million
migrants who send funds to their collective 800 million family members back home, many are turning to
digital methods, because app-based digital payments are considered the most secure means for sending
funds abroad1. This is particularly crucial for families who rely on remittances for everyday needs like
food, education, and medical expenses.
Economic and Social Impact
When these payments are digital, they provide an additional boost to economic empowerment and
financial inclusion. With advances in digital payments, families benefit from the lower cost of sending or
receiving money abroad. They can have money available in near real-time so that they can spend it
immediately on what they need. With the right guardrails in place, remittance firms and lenders can
work together to extend credit based on customer behaviour, increasing access to financial services that
immigrants lack when they first move.
While remittances can improve the living conditions of those back home, they also fuel growth rates of
receiving economies. 29 countries received over 10 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) in
remittances in 20221, while seven received over 25 percent of their GDP this way2.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Despite the advancements, challenges remain. Many payment corridors still lack basic infrastructure like
electricity and internet connectivity, which is a barrier for millions in digitising their cross-border
payments.
Innovation within Fintechs and banks, the transformation of global remitters and capabilities of solutions
developed by global payment networks are focused on helping to bring seamless, secure, and rapid
digital remittances within reach. Expanded choices are also important in how digitally enabled migrant
workers can more easily compare providers and costs to choose the best options for their families. Visa
Direct, Visa’s real-time money movement network, is powering many of these new solutions by helping
facilitate the fast delivery of funds directly to cards, bank accounts, and wallets around the world3.
The evolution of cross-border remittances from traditional methods to digital platforms has had a
transformative impact on global economies and communities. As digital adoption continues to rise, it
holds the potential to further empower individuals and drive economic growth, provided the challenges
of digital infrastructure are addressed. The future of remittances is undeniably digital, promising greater
efficiency, security, and inclusion for millions around the world.
1Money Travels: 2023 Digital Remittances Adoption Report (visa.com)
3 Actual fund availability depends on receiving financial institution and region.
Meet Visa at IPR Global 2024
Joining as Platinum sponsors, you can meet Visa at our annual IPR Global event, where you can dive into deep conversations, explore potential partnerships, and discover the latest trends in the industry from leading influencers.
The top decision-makers will be there, so don’t miss this golden opportunity. Our spaces are limited, so seize your ticket now before it runs out at: https://global2024.ipr-events.com/
We look forward to seeing you!
Interview with Leon Isaacs from DMA Global | IPR Global 2023
We interviewed Leon Isaacs, the CEO & Founder of DMA Global, during our Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Global event, to share his insights into FinTech regional hotspots, the future of RegTech in Africa and the Middle East, what sets IPR apart and more.
Leon holds over 30 years’ hands-on experience and is a business leader in the payments and international development fields, with a particular expertise in migrant remittances.
Watch the full video to find out his views.
Payments Rewired: Blockchain’s Impact on Remittances | IPR Global 2023
In this instalment, we traverse the corridors of Open Banking’s impact on cross-border remittances, harnessing AI’s potential for efficiency, and navigating the realm of blockchain-based solutions. Buckle up for an insightful session through the dynamic intersection of finance, technology, and innovation.
Moderator
- Lindsay Lehr, Managing Director, PCMI
Panellists:
- Walter D’Cruz, Director, Moneo Solutions
- Sukhi Srivatsan, Head of Account Management, AZA Finance
- David Lambert, CEO, Paycross
How does open banking facilitate cross-border remittances and interoperability between financial institutions?
Let’s first understand what open banking is before diving in. David summarises it as an instant domestic bank transfer system. This essentially allows third-party entities access to users’ financial data via APIs, enabling them to make payments on behalf of the user. Walter expanded on this, emphasising how real-time payments and data exchange are subsets of open banking. He highlighted the challenge it poses to direct debit and recurring payments, especially in merchant-initiated transactions.
David also shed light on Open Banking’s potential as an alternative payment method by making instant payments by just scanning QR codes; however, he notes its limited spread in the market. Drawing parallels with established systems like PayPal or Apple Pay, he stressed the need for better branding and consumer familiarity to propel Open Banking into a mainstream payment method. Moreover, the discussion linked Open Banking to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), foreseeing their role in accelerating international payment rails for faster digital currency. However, concerns were raised about CBDCs being entirely under central banking control, prompting potential government involvement due to public apprehension.
How can AI be leveraged to enhance the accuracy of remittance transactions and improve the user experience?
Sukhi highlighted critical pain points faced at AZA Finance when it came to liquidity projection and forecasting for their clients. Addressing the need to ensure sufficient currency availability at the right time and place without inflating costs for clients. To tackle this, they created an internal model that utilised historical client data to predict future growth patterns, aiding in better preparation for customer demands and enabling proactive measures such as potentially offering increased liquidity when moving to new markets.
However, David expressed scepticism about the reliability of predictive AI for precise forecasting. He highlighted the limitations of AI, emphasising its dependence on the data it’s fed and its inability to independently form entirely accurate projections due to various external factors influencing trends. He believed AI must be heavily controlled, such as by setting rule parameters and cautious utilisation, to prevent misleading or inaccurate predictions.
Acknowledging this, Sukhi agreed that human involvement was crucial. While AI forecasts might not be pinpoint accurate, they allow for better-informed decisions.
Walter countered common fears around AI. He emphasised AI’s role in expediting data analysis by enabling quicker translation of data into actionable insights, thereby saving time and effort. Walter advocated for a practical approach, distancing from rigid rule parameters, which is especially beneficial for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that often struggle with sourcing and analysing multiple data sources to make informed decisions. This flexibility allows smaller businesses to compete and innovate alongside industry giants.
What are some real-world examples of successful blockchain-based remittance solutions?
Walter sees blockchain as a global equaliser capable of transferring value across boundaries in real time. However, he underscores the importance of recognising blockchain independently from central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and cryptocurrencies, as they still involve inherent complexities like exchange rates and associated costs. However, the challenge of decentralisation may be difficult for society to embrace.
David, on the other hand, points out a fundamental issue: the persisting limitations in the speed of money movement due to technological and regulatory barriers. He notes that blockchain doesn’t inherently address this challenge, especially with governments increasingly advocating for CBDCs, which introduces another layer of complexity and opposition.
Furthering the conversation, Walter delves into the intricacies of technological efficiency. He cites an example of banks implementing cheque scanners to streamline verification processes, yet this technological enhancement didn’t significantly impact on the time taken for the money to be deposited into bank accounts. This prompts doubts about the effectiveness of new technologies in speeding up financial transactions. There is the possibility for a potential paradigm shift if major retailers, such as Amazon, embed cryptocurrencies. There is also an opportunity for the adoption of blockchain within the remittance industry; however, there needs to be collaboration among stakeholders to lay down a functional framework and process. This collective effort is crucial to overcome the hurdles and ensure a more meaningful integration of this technology into the financial landscape.
What next?
At RemitONE, our commitment is to provide you with cutting-edge technology, compliance solutions, and expert guidance to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of remittances. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, we’ve got you covered.
Want to see how RemitONE can elevate your business? Book a free consultation with our experts today!
Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Awards 2023
RemitONE is delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Awards.
Start-up of the Year Award 2023
Winner: PayOnlime
Honourable mention: Lollicash
Scale-up of the Year Award 2023
Winner: Clear Junction
Honourable mention: Remit Choice Limited
Leader of the Year Award 2023
Winner: Jones Amegbor, Founder & CEO (PayAngel)
Excellent Customer Service Award 2023
Winner: Trust Payments & Unity Link
Innovation Award 2023
Winner: Currencycloud
Social Impact Award 2023
Winner: HelloPaisa
Honourable mention: PayAngel
All entries were thoroughly evaluated by our esteemed judges comprised of global senior experts in the payments and remittance industry:
- Leon Isaacs, CEO & Founder, DMA Global
- Kathryn Tomasofsky, Executive Director, MSBA
- Lindsay Lehr, Managing Director, PCMI
- Rob Ayers, CEO, Fintech-Advisors
- Sharon Gibson, CEO, JMMB Money Transfer
- Veronica Studsgaard, Founder & Chairman, IAMTN
After the initial assessment, the award finalists were unveiled in August 2023. This was followed by the second stage, during which the judging panel reviewed all the finalist entries and selected the winners in each category through an anonymous scoring method.
The award winners were announced at the IPR Awards ceremony during the IPR Global Hybrid 2-day event on Tuesday 26th September, in London, UK.
From Left to right pictured: (Top left) Larissa Rocha, Wayne Gould, Adel Taher, Jones Amegbor, Sohail Nizami and Joseph Lamptey. (Bottom left) George Boateng and Lindsay Lehr. (Top right) Rob Ayers and Adel Taher. (Bottom right) Sohail Nizami and Leon Isaacs.
About Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR)
In 2018, RemitONE launched Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) to bring together various industry supply chain members to drive positive change. Through events and research reports, IPR brings together senior business leaders dedicated to enhancing the industry, enabling them to think big, share best practices, engage, learn, discover, create opportunities and shape change. With the power of collective insight, we can push innovation and industry growth boundaries and benefit from better outcomes.
The first IPR event was held in the iconic London landmark, The Shard. In 2021, due to the pandemic, the event was hosted online and attracted over 3,000 registrations worldwide. The IPR events are organised throughout the year to help industry stakeholders, visionaries and business leaders make informed decisions that ultimately benefit the consumer.
About RemitONE
RemitONE is the leading provider of end-to-end money transfer solutions for banks, money transfer operators (MTOs) and fintech start-ups worldwide. Our award-winning money transfer, compliance software products and consulting services – including MSB licensing, bank account provisioning and connections to our clients and partners – are tailored for the global money transfer market.
Organisations of all sizes use our platforms to run their remittance operations with ease and efficiency by reaching out to their customers via multiple channels, including agent, online and mobile.
For more information, or to access all the photos from the IPR Awards ceremony, please contact marketing@remitone.com
RemitONE Winners of the Remtech Innovation Remittance Solution Award at GFRID | United Nations Summit in Kenya, Africa!
We are delighted to announce that RemitONE has secured the prestigious Innovation Remittance Solution Award at the RemTECH Awards 2023 – GFRID | United Nations Summit in Kenya. This incredible achievement underscores our commitment to revolutionising the payments and remittance industry through cutting-edge solutions.
The RemTECH Awards, organised by CrossTech and held as part of the GFRID | United Nations Summit in Kenya, served as a platform to honour remarkable achievements and advancements in the fintech industry. Over three days, industry professionals from around the globe congregated to celebrate and engage in an enlightening conference.
Our success in the Innovation Remittance Solution category can be attributed to the groundbreaking tools we have developed. Notably, our Multi-Online Remittance Manager™ and Multi-Mobile Remittance Manager™ have played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion. These game-changing solutions bridge the gap between the banked and unbanked populations, providing greater accessibility and convenience for money transfers through our digital innovations.
We had the privilege of being assessed by esteemed judges who acknowledged the significance of our innovation. Leon Isaacs, judge and CEO of DMA Global, presented us with the award and praised our approach. He emphasised, “RemitONE has seen a problem and looked at various solutions and put them together in a way that truly works for the people who use their services or could utilise their services, which I think is innovative in many ways.”
Representing RemitONE at the event, our Managing Director of Africa, Ababacar Seck, accepted the award and delivered an inspiring acceptance speech. He reiterated our commitment to empowering clients, including banks, money transfer operators (MTOs), startups, and central banks, with innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs.
This award serves as a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. At RemitONE, we remain dedicated to shaping the future of the payments and remittance industry and improving the lives of migrants and their families worldwide.
To learn more about our award-winning Money Transfer Software reach out to us at sales@remitone.com.
The Silicon Valley Bank Collapse: Challenges and Opportunities in the Money Transfer Industry?
Silicon Valley (SVB) was the go-to bank for many tech startups and its recent fall has left a sense of uncertainty within the community, with many wondering if this will impact their own banks. In this article we’ll focus on the aftermath of SVB’s collapse, exploring what it means for the industry and the opportunities it offers for innovation and advancement in the payments and remittance spaces.
First, let’s backtrack to how this happened in the first place, and explore the warning signs. The foreshadowing of SVB’s downfall began with their investment in treasury bonds which later hit them with a major blow as interest rates spiked up in an attempt to slow down inflation. The unprecedentedly sharp increase in withdrawals outnumbered their deposits as venture capitalists were investing less in startups whilst customers were withdrawing their funds at an accelerated pace. This made matters worse for SVB, as they had to provide the funds to compensate for the loss, and in desperation, they sold their bonds at a much lesser value, resulting in a huge loss of $1.8 bn.
What effect has this had on the money transfer industry?
Challenge #1: Slower Operations and Increased Costs
SVB’s collapse caused considerable hindrances for payroll, resulting in delayed or unpaid payments to employees. This also may have led to a shortage of staff and disruptions to money transfer companies’ day-to-day operations, leaving businesses understaffed and unable to resolve customer issues or complaints.
As a result of these setbacks, customers may have experienced missed or delayed transfers, which must have had a serious impact on the customer’s trust and confidence in the money transfer market. Businesses may have suffered from a decline in transaction volumes and revenue slowdowns as a result.
Solution #1: Rebuild Customer Relationship
Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) must win back customer trust. They can achieve this by investing in a secure and scalable technology platform that is built on a robust infrastructure. Additionally, offering a range of services beyond simply money transfers (e.g. utility bill payments, wallet transfers, airtime etc), can also help gain customer trust.
MTOs can also strive to offer even more competitive rates and lower transaction fees, which not only attracts new customers but helps retain trust with existing ones. Cost reduction can happen by investing in technology that automates processes and compliance procedures and opens up new revenue-sourcing channels such as mobile apps and online portals.
Challenge #2: Difficulty for Immigrant Communities
The remittance market thrives hugely on transactions by immigrants who send money to their home countries.
With the exit of some smaller players, larger companies can gain more bargaining power to increase the costs of fees and charges; this burden is then passed onto the end customers, making it more difficult for the latter to send money to their loved ones.
Solution #2: This problem may, in fact, prompt a change in customer behaviour. For example, challenging circumstances can often push people to explore alternate routes which they may have been hesitant to use before, such as mobile money. This may result in traditional banks losing some of their dominance over digital banks, allowing the latter to gain market share, especially as they often have lower fees and are more convenient.
In addition, digital banks are continuing to gain ground in the money transfer market; this may likely continue as more people become tech-savvy and embrace its benefits. It is crucial for MTOs and digital banks to evolve and adapt to meet customers’ changing needs by monitoring the market and consistently updating their marketing strategy.
Challenge # 3: Tighter Regulation
The Federal Reserve introduced a new program to help tackle instability and safeguard companies impacted by SVB’s downfall. Similarly, this could inspire money transfer regulators to also introduce tighter rules and regulations around monitoring and tracking transactions using reliable technology platforms.
However, there are some downsides as well, including a slowdown in operations and higher costs. A rise in compliance expenses may also result in companies having to exert more money to invest in new technology or additional staff to comply with regulations. This is especially challenging for smaller companies that may not have sufficient funds. It can also lead to increased delays in transactions as agents and companies need to perform additional checks.
Solution #3: Despite these challenges, this could in fact improve compliance practices in many companies. With reliable technology platforms to enforce transactional monitoring and process automation in place, companies can reduce the risk of fraud and improve their security measures. All of these improvements will aid in strengthening the money transfer industry and allow it to become more reliable than ever.
The Outcome for the Industry: Innovation Opportunity
Despite the challenges brought about by the recent instability in the payments and money transfer industries, this situation can also stimulate growth opportunities.
As areas of weakness within businesses are revealed, a better understanding of how to improve processes and systems will also become apparent. In addition, the retreat of some tech companies will provide opportunities for new players to enter with fresh ideas, products and services. Simultaneously, it encourages industry players to collaborate in finding solutions as each can provide their area of expertise to resolve the problem, creating beneficial progress.
RemitONE and other tech providers can help companies affected by the SVB collapse.
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Contact marketing@remitone.com to find out more.