main navigationproduct navigationsite support navigationpage contentuseful information navigation

Introduction to SEPA

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is a self-regulating initiative by the European Payments Council which brings together the European Payments Industry. The banking industry will deliver SEPA to create a single integrated payments environment

The introduction of  SEPA is without doubt one of the most significant opportunities for businesses to simplify their banking operations, enabling them to compete more effectively in new markets across the SEPA community.

Whether you are prepared for SEPA, or until now unaware of it, our relationship managers and specialist teams are ready to help you embrace this opportunity. We are committed to helping our corporate customers understand their needs, and by working together, deliver the right solution.

Read more about the benefits of SEPA

SEPA single European payments area.

Download the SEPA Guide
A comprehensive overview of SEPA and how it will affect your business.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions
Answers to commonly asked questions.

SEPA Checklist

Preparing for SEPA
Guidance to help your business make and receive SEPA payments.

The Eurozone
The Eurozone
An interactive guide to the SEPA community.

Future SEPA developments

SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT), due 28 January 2008.


Features

Fees cannot be debited from principal sum.

Payments arrive in 3 days.

No maximum payment value.

Must contain BIC and IBAN.

Benefits

Certainty of delivery date and value of payments and receipts.

May allow concentration of payment suppliers.

SEPA Direct Debit (SDD), due late 2009.


Features

Euro Direct Debits can be collected from any SEPA country.

Benefits

Common Direct Debit standards across SEPA.

May allow concentration of direct debit suppliers.


SEPA Card Framework, due 2010.


Features

Set of principles and rules to standardise card use across the SEPA community.

Consistent use of credit, debit and pre-paid cards.

Benefits

Improved security.

Reduced fraud.