Payments

BAFT Releases Third White Paper in ISO 20022 Series Focused on Lessons Learned in Sanctions and Compliance

Washington, D.C. – BAFT, the leading global industry association for international transaction banking, has published a new white paper titled “ISO 20022 Migrations: Lessons Learned in Sanctions & Compliance.” This latest publication is part of BAFT’s ongoing efforts to support the financial industry in navigating the complex landscape of global payment modernization and regulatory compliance.

The white paper captures practical insights from early adopters of ISO 20022, specifically focusing on the challenges and strategies related to sanctions screening and financial crime compliance. As financial institutions transition to richer data formats and structured messaging, the paper highlights both the operational and regulatory implications, and provides actionable recommendations for compliance professionals and technology teams.

“ISO 20022 has introduced new dimensions to data quality, transparency, and risk management,” said Deepa Sinha, senior vice president of payments & financial crimes, BAFT. “This white paper addresses a critical area—how the migration impacts sanctions and compliance operations—and offers lessons that can benefit banks still undergoing or preparing for the transition.”

Key themes explored in the white paper include data truncation and translation issues, evolving regulatory expectations, technology enablement, and the need for cross-functional collaboration between compliance, operations, and IT. The white paper is available to BAFT members and the broader industry community on the BAFT website.

Click here to read BAFT’s ISO 20022 Migrations: Best Practices & Guidance. The white paper is also available within BAFT’s Library of Documents under the Guidance and Industry Practices section.

About BAFT

BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
Senior Director, Public Relations
[email protected]
+1 (202) 663-5468

Follow Us: @BAFT

BAFT Elects ING’s Nick Smit to Lead Board of Directors

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, has announced that Nick Smit of ING will serve as the chair of its board of directors for the 2025-2026 association year. Smit is the global lead of financial institutions banks at ING.

Based in New York, Smit heads a team of relationship managers covering U.S., Canada, Latin America and global banks, and their in-house asset managers. His specific areas of sales expertise are financial markets, global transaction banking, sector-based finance, and debt capital markets.

“I really appreciate this vote of confidence by the BAFT community,” said Smit. “BAFT has grown into the leading global forum for not only trade, but payments and cash management, and working capital solutions, too. I am very much looking forward to continuing the good work done in the past as we operate and grow further as an independent organization in the future. I value the thought leadership that BAFT brings and also the wonderful networking opportunities it creates.”

Smit has held several roles throughout his 30-year career with ING including lead positions in New York, Amsterdam, Brussels and Geneva. He has served on the BAFT board since 2022. Additionally, Smit has served on the Board of Friends of the University of Stellenbosch in the USA since 2000. Smit received postgraduate degrees in law and economics from University of Stellenbosch (South Africa), as well as a master’s in economics from Cambridge University.

Also re-elected to serve on the BAFT board as officers were:

  • Vice Chair: Michelle Knowles, ABSA
  • Secretary / Treasurer: Miriam Ratkovicova, Deloitte

Other directors include:

Suresh Subramanian, BNP Paribas

Tod Burwell, BAFT         

Ashutosh Kumar, Mizuho

Julie Patterson, National Bank of Australia

Jean François Mazure, Société Générale

Dean Sposito, Deutsche Bank

Ricardo Velázquez, Banco Mercantile del Norte SA (Banorte)

Andy Arduini, Huntington Bank

Oscar Sanz-Paris, CQUR

Ayaz Kamlani, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

Derryn Faure, Investec

John Kinyangi, Standard Bank   

Patrick Devilbiss, CGI

Dyanne Carenza, Scotiabank

Paolo Muzzarelli, UBS

Rob Hostler, Citi

Brian Gordon, Commerce Bank

Mike Katergaris, JPMorgan

Maurice Iskandar, Banque Libano Française

Patrik Havander, Visa

Amy Sahm, Fulton Bank

George Lee, Standard Chartered

About BAFT

BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
Senior Director, Public Relations
[email protected]
+1 (202) 663-5468

Follow Us: @BAFT

BAFT White Paper on The Impact of Stablecoins on Payments

The Impact of Stablecoins on Payments
An In-Depth Analysis of How Stablecoins are Reshaping the Global Payments Ecosystem

“The Impact of Stablecoins on Payments” is a comprehensive examination of the growing role of stablecoins in domestic and cross-border payments and the implications for financial institutions, regulators, and payment service providers.

As stablecoins continue to gain traction as a digital payment instrument, their promise of near-instant settlement, reduced transaction costs, and programmability is reshaping traditional paradigms in the payments industry. The white paper explores these developments across four key dimensions:

1.      Market Landscape and Use Cases

2.      Risks and Operational Challenges

3.      Regulatory Outlook and Compliance Considerations

4.      Interoperability with Traditional Payment Systems

As a benefit to BAFT members, this whitepaper is free and available for early access to members to download before others in the industry.

READ MORE HERE >

BAFT Publishes Updated Master Trade Loan Agreement (MTLA) – 2025 English Law

The 2025 Master Trade Loan Agreement (MTLA) is designed as an industry-standard document used for lending between financial institutions to finance or refinance specified trade transactions. The 2025 MTLA – English Law reflects changes based on current market expectations, law, and practice including the demise of LIBOR, and the impact of Brexit―as EU Law no longer applies to the UK.

Click on the link below to read more about the 2025 MTLA.

READ MORE HERE >