The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has on 12 December published its finalised recommendations to promote greater alignment in data frameworks related to cross-border payments and consistency in the regulation and supervision of bank and non-bank payment service providers. These recommendations advance key actions from the G20 Roadmap to address legal, supervisory, and regulatory issues in cross-border payments. As part of these efforts and to enhance private sector engagement, the FSB is inviting market stakeholders in cross-border payments to join its Taskforce on Legal, Regulatory, and Supervisory matters (LRS Taskforce).
Policy recommendations to promote greater alignment and interoperability in data frameworks related to cross-border payments
The transfer of data across borders is essential to the functioning of cross-border payments. Frictions from data frameworks (i.e. the range of laws, rules and regulatory requirements for collecting, storing and managing data) can pose significant challenges to improving the cost, speed, transparency and accessibility of cross-border payments. The FSB’s recommendations aim to address identified frictions, while maintaining the safety and security of cross-border payments and upholding the objectives of protecting the privacy of individuals and fostering innovation. Identified frictions include different data requirements in payments that interfere with the smooth processing of cross-border payments, restrictions on data sharing that impede the ability to safely process cross-border payments, and increased costs due to data storage and handling requirements.
To take forward these recommendations in a coordinated manner and to identify emerging issues that should be addressed, the FSB is establishing a Forum on Cross-Border Payments Data.The Forum will be comprised of public-sector stakeholders covering payments, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), sanctions, and data privacy and protection. The Forum will also establish a private sector advisory group.
Policy recommendations to strengthen consistency in regulating and supervising banks and non-banks providing cross-border payment services
Advances in technology have led to an increasing number and variety of payment services providers (PSPs) and the services they offer. In the absence of comprehensive international standards applicable to non-bank PSPs’ provision of cross-border payment services, jurisdictions have taken varying approaches to regulating and supervising bank and non-bank PSPs offering these services.
These recommendations aim to ensure quality and consistency in the legal, regulatory and supervisory regimes of banks and non-banks in their provision of cross-border payment services in a way that is proportionate to the risks associated with such activities. This approach reduces the likelihood of regulatory arbitrage by establishing a level playing field for both banks and non-bank PSPs, despite differences in business models and risk profiles. Greater consistency in the regulation and supervision of banks and non-banks providing cross-border payment services can foster lower costs, higher delivery speed, and better financial access and transparency.
