Why payments are more than just transactions
In the world of cross-border payments, no one moves money from one country to another just for fun. Every transfer carries a purpose: supporting a family, sustaining a business, making a dream come true. Visa Direct views payments not as isolated transactions, but as critical life moments.
Whether it’s a small business securing the jobs of employees, a family sending remittances to loved ones, or an individual investing their life savings into a home abroad, the movement of money is deeply human. This is why real-time,¹ secure, and payment solutions are not just technical innovations, they reflect our commitment to customer trust and experience.
The human side of cross-border payments
- For SMEs: For example, a manufacturing business operating on very slim margins (say 5%) with a significant portion of costs tied to imports. If their bank takes around 3% in fees, that’s a huge hit to profitability. For illustrative purposes, switching to a more efficient cross-border payment provider could help add 1.5–2% back to the bottom line. That difference could make a meaningful difference in sustaining operations and supporting employees.
- For Individuals: Perhaps someone is buying a holiday home overseas. Let’s say they are transferring half their life savings to create memories for their family. Delays or issues in cross-border transfers can have significant personal and financial implications. Visa Direct aims to minimize these risks through secure processes where supported by partners.
- For Migrant Workers: Remittances aren’t just numbers in a ledger; they’re food on the table, education for children, and medical care for parents.
These are human customer stories, and they’re the reason Visa Direct focuses on both speed and security.
Real-time¹ payments: infrastructure for all
One common misconception in cross-border innovation is that real-time¹ capabilities only matter for certain verticals such as consumer wallets, contractor payouts, remittances, or marketplace disbursements. Delivering real-time¹ in one vertical demonstrates capability, but scaling requires infrastructure and partner readiness.
The challenge is not vertical-specific, it’s about building the infrastructure that enables financial institutions to offer these services at scale, without competing for their customers. Visa Direct operates as an enabler, giving banks, fintechs, and payment providers the tools to help keep their customers satisfied and loyal.
Putting the customer at the center
Too often, cross-border is seen purely as a mechanical transaction, a series of steps in a ledger. But the real focus should be on what you are providing: a service that touches people’s money, lives, and families. Failing to recognize that significance is where the industry missteps.
Trust, compliance, and security
Security and fraud prevention are essential components of our approach, and Visa Direct is committed to addressing these areas with diligence and care.²
The acceleration of real-time¹ demand
Real-time¹ payments are no longer a ‘nice-to-have’. The demand is accelerating because international money movement was historically slow, opaque, expensive, and stressful.
Visa Direct aims to address this by:
- Helping reduce friction in the payment journey.²
- Enhancing visibility where supported by partners, helping reduce uncertainty in many cases.²
- Reducing friction and costs where possible, depending on corridor and partner arrangements.²
- Expanding access to make quick payments possible for more corridors and currencies.²
Values driving Visa Direct¹
Future outlook for cross-border payments⁴
The payments industry is evolving rapidly, with real-time¹ cross-border capabilities becoming increasingly common. A key factor in future success may be maintaining a strong focus on customer experience and operational resilience.
Industry trends suggest that organizations can benefit from:
- Designing systems that prioritize clarity and efficiency.⁴
- Building infrastructure that supports multiple verticals effectively.
- Applying compliance measures intelligently to balance protection and user experience.
- Maintaining trust through consistent delivery and clear communication.
Industry considerations⁵
Secure, real-time¹ payments are expected to play a growing role in supporting global financial needs. Organizations may consider focusing on speed, empathy, and risk-based protection to meet evolving customer expectations.
Future payment trends are likely to emphasize both speed and customer care, rather than speed alone. These practices can help support industry progress and strengthen customer trust.
Visa Direct. Move money your way.
To learn more about money movement, visit: visa.com/visadirect
Sources:
- Fund Availability Disclaimer: Actual fund availability for all Visa Direct transactions may depend on receiving financial institution, account type, region, compliance processes, along with other factors, as applicable.
- Performance Disclaimer: Visa Direct does not guarantee transaction speed or success in all cases. Performance depends on factors such as network availability, compliance checks, and partner capabilities.
- Compliance Responsibility Disclaimer: Visa Direct clients and participants should always consult and seek approval from their internal compliance teams on sanctions screening controls and processes, and are solely responsible for their own compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Optional compliance controls and risk management tools and services are provided solely for the convenience of sending acquirers, service providers, merchants, and recipient issuers / the Visa Direct clients and participants, and Visa makes no warranties with respect to them or their results.
- Informational Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or compliance advice. All services are subject to applicable laws and regulations, and compliance obligations remain with each institution.
- Jurisdiction Disclaimer: Features and availability vary by jurisdiction and are subject to local laws and regulatory requirements.
- Real-Time Disclaimer: Real-time capabilities are subject to availability and may vary by corridor, receiving institution, and compliance requirements.