The Swiss franc – a safe, stable currency

The Swiss franc is one of the most solid currencies on the global foreign exchange market. Stable economic developments in Switzerland have ensured that the franc's value remains steady and has not lost any of its popularity.

PostFinance as your correspondent bank

With PostFinance as your correspondent bank for Swiss francs you can reach customers around the world. Payments are sent to the beneficiary bank as directly as possible. What's more, as no third-party banks are involved, costs can be kept low. PostFinance’s direct link to the national clearing system allows it to process settlements quickly and securely via the CHF correspondent of the beneficiary bank and to make bookings directly to the correspondent’s account. To make use of this service, you require a CHF account at PostFinance. Account statements are available free of charge as a SWIFT FIN MT940 / MT950 message. Payments delivered before the cut-off time of 3 p.m. CET are sent to the beneficiary bank on the same day.

PostFinance as standard settlement partner

Upon opening the account, you can also use PostFinance as your standard settlement partner for Swiss francs worldwide. Credits on your account via SWIFT or Switzerland’s national clearing system will be advised by SWIFT FIN MT103 for commercial payments and SWIFT FIN MT202 for interbank payments. Payments delivered before 3 p.m. CET are processed on the same day to a desired BIC.

International cash payments are a particularly popular payment option in emerging economies and in countries with a long tradition of handling cash payments. Every household in the world can be reached with a cash payment. All you need is to open an account with us in CHF/EUR. PostFinance handles your order sent via SWIFT MT103 with the specific code /CHQB/ for cash payments and the ISO country code in field 72 via our networks. We combine traditional postal payments with standard banking products.

In many countries, payments are processed by postal organizations with an extensive distribution network.  Usually cash is paid out directly to the recipient and  in the local currency. The price for cash transactions depends on the quantity and destination. Our destinations and processing currencies:

Ideally suited products and systems

Given our knowledge of the requirements and conditions, our systems and products are ideally suited for these sensitive payments. PostFinance reaches all households and accounts in Switzerland and is able to send cash or credit payments around the globe.

Transmission

SWIFT Fin, SWIFT FileAct or bilaterally agreed formats.

Payments to deceased persons

If a person is deceased, the amount may be blocked by the Swiss authorities. PostFinance will try on a best effort basis to collect the amount from the heirs or the solicitor responsible.

Life certificate

PostFinance may support your bank to obtain officially confirmed life certificates from the pensioners.
– We send letters in your customer’s name to beneficiaries.
– Pensioners return the letter to PostFinance .
– PostFinance verifies the information and provides it to you in a bilaterally agreed format.

Reports

Monthly invoice and STP reports.

Implementation

PostFinance provides assistance when implementing the service. There are no non-STP charges during the implementation period.

Information on PostFinance Ltd

Payment systems

Send us your payments via the leading international payment systems:

• Use SWIFT FIN and/or FileAct connection
• Use EUROGIRO – the leading network between banks and postal organizations for crossborder payments
• Payments for third parties are forwarded to either SIC or euroSIC (the Swiss RTGS systems in CHF and EUR)

Standard settlement instructions

PostFinance identifier:
BIC = POFICHBE
SIC = 9000

Patriot Act

Wolfsberg questionnaire (AML questionnaire)

Certificate of Registration

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

Banking Authorization

Compliance and KYC information

If you have any questions, please contact us:

PostFinance Ltd
Interbank Payment Solutions
Mingerstrasse 20
3030 Berne
Switzerland