Central Banking

ECB turns attention to single card payments area

Euro sign, Frankfurt

Card payments across the eurozone have yet to reach the same level of "harmonisation and integration" as other retail transactions, according to the European Central Bank (ECB), which today called for "considerable efforts" to complete the single euro payments area (Sepa).

There are already two Sepa schemes, for credit transfers and direct debits, in operation. Eurozone member states were told to migrate to Sepa by February 1, but the European Commission pushed for a six-month extension as the

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FedNow – at last

The instant payment system might help fix the US’s rusty payment rails, but it also faces competition, says Dave Birch

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