How long do international payments take? A guide to delays and tracking
Understand international payment timelines, banking days, cutoff times, compliance reviews, tracking references, and the steps to take when money has not arrived.
Read the storyTHE OSTRO BLOG
A world of work.
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In-depth guides to global payments and financial technology. Understand the systems, compare the trade-offs, and put the details to work.
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Correspondent banking explained: why international payments use intermediary banks
Learn how correspondent banks, nostro and vostro accounts, payment messages, and local settlement fit together, and what businesses should check before sending money.
Read the storyExchange-rate spreads: how to compare the real cost of a currency conversion
Understand exchange-rate spreads, rate direction, fixed fees, and quote expiry. Compare international payment quotes with worked examples and a practical worksheet.
Read the storyInternational payment fees explained: compare the real total cost
Calculate the full cost of international payments, including fixed fees, percentage charges, exchange-rate margins, intermediary deductions, and payout costs.
Read the storyBre-B explained: receiving and paying Colombian pesos
Understand Colombia's Bre-B system, Llaves, COP bank transfers, local collection, payment tracking, and how domestic payments connect to international payouts.
Read the storySPEI payments explained: receiving MXN from Mexican clients
Learn how SPEI, CLABE numbers, tracking keys, and CEP confirmations work, and how to plan Mexican peso collection, conversion, reconciliation, and payouts.
Read the storyPix payments explained: receiving BRL from Brazilian customers
Understand Pix, BRL collection, keys, QR codes, reconciliation, refunds, and how a domestic Brazilian payment can form part of an international payout flow.
Read the storyHow to receive GBP payments from UK clients and marketplaces
Learn how GBP receiving details, sort codes, Faster Payments, Bacs, and CHAPS fit into international client payments, marketplace receipts, and local payouts.
Read the storySEPA vs SWIFT: which route fits an international payment?
Understand the difference between SEPA payment schemes and SWIFT messaging, including currencies, IBANs, timing, fees, and how to choose compatible instructions.
Read the storyHow to receive euro payments: SEPA, IBANs, and EUR payouts
Understand how to collect EUR from clients and marketplaces, choose SEPA or an international bank route, share IBAN details, and plan conversion or payouts.
Read the storyACH credit vs ACH debit: who initiates the payment and why it matters
Compare ACH credits and debits, including payment direction, authorisation, recurring invoices, receiving-account support, returns, and practical business examples.
Read the storyACH vs wire transfers: differences in speed, cost, and use
Compare ACH credits, ACH debits, domestic wires, and international wires. Understand processing, finality, fees, instructions, and business payment decisions.
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