Journal of Applied Finance & Research
Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed
E-ISSN: 2025-7139 | P-ISSN: 1010-7134
Vol. 8 , Issue 1 , 2025
Cross-Border Payment Frictions and the Adoption of Real-Time Settlement Rails Among SME Exporters
AUTHORS
Tomás Iglesias, Hye-Jin Park
Abstract
We investigate how small and medium sized exporters select between correspondent banking channels and emerging real time settlement rails for cross border invoices. Using a survey of 1,240 firms across nine jurisdictions, combined with anonymized transaction data, we identify the principal frictions that delay adoption and quantify the working capital benefits realized by early movers. The analysis offers a formal account of how interoperability standards, foreign exchange transparency, and counterparty assurance jointly determine rail selection at the firm level.
References
- [1]Iglesias, T. (2023). Correspondent banking decline and SME trade finance. International Trade Finance Review, 12(3), 201 to 224.
- [2]Park, H. (2024). Real time payments and working capital efficiency. Journal of Payment Systems Research, 8(2), 55 to 78.
- [3]Bank for International Settlements. (2023). Cross border payments programme stocktake.
- [4]Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures. (2024). Interoperability between fast payment systems.