News release
Contact
Margo Galvin
Experian Payments
+44 1788 554800
margo.galvin@uk.experian.com
SEPA still a priority for 40 per cent of UK corporates, according to Experian survey
Nottingham, UK, 14 August 2009 – A recent survey by Experian, the global information services company, reveals that while the majority (67 per cent) of large UK-based organisations are primarily focused on enhancing business efficiency and reducing cost over the coming six months, payments regulation will also remain high on the corporate agenda.
The survey of payments professionals conducted at Experian’s Payment Strategies 2009 conference, found that complying with changes in payments regulation, such as the migration to SEPA and the Payment Services Directive (PSD), remains a priority for 40 per cent of large companies.
Finance companies are most focused on complying with upcoming payments regulation (53 per cent), while 26 per cent of the insurance companies questioned are making it a priority to become compliant by the end of the year.
Almost a third of corporates are planning to make use of the SEPA Direct Debit service in the next twelve months, indicating that they are far better informed about the SEPA initiative and its value to their businesses. An Experian survey undertaken in 2008 revealed that 48 per cent of corporates felt that there was insufficient information provided on the move to SEPA.
Jonathan Williams, Director of Product Development and Strategy at Experian Payments, comments: “While most corporates involved in the migration to the pan-European Direct Debit scheme would admit that it has not been a smooth path to tread, SEPA does create direct business opportunities for these organisations. Those planning to make use of the initiative will benefit from greater efficiency in terms of consolidating their systems and rationalising the number of bank accounts they hold as well as having a common standard for direct debit transactions in Euro countries. Those corporates which need to make payments to and receive payments from the European Economic Area will benefit from this more standardised approach to payment transactions.”
He adds: “Under SEPA, the use of IBAN and BIC and to identify the bank and account of a payment beneficiary will become mandatory for all cross-border Euro payments. Corporates need to be aware of the fact that failure to validate these details before making a payment will result in increased costs and poor customer service. They will need to make the necessary changes in the coming months to avoid these pitfalls which, if not addressed, could affect the profitability of their business.”
54 UK-based organisations responded to the survey.