Processing SEPA Payments
Banks from all over Europe process their SEPA-compliant credit transfers and direct debits via the Swiss payment channel of euroSIC / Swiss Euro Clearing Bank (SECB). Participating banks are able to receive and submit SEPA credit transfers because euroSIC is connected to the systems of European payment processors.
Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)
Learn more about the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
SEPA and SwitzerlandHow You Will Benefit
Standardized
Payments are based on internationally standardized processes, terms and formalities
Pan-European
The entire SEPA zone is covered
Interconnected
The euroSIC system is connected to Europe’s most important clearing systems
Process SEPA Direct Debits
The rulebooks by the EPC (European Payments Council) serve as the basis for processing SEPA direct debits for both private and business customers.
Participation ProcessAbout This Service
euroSIC participants can easily receive and send SEPA credit transfers and SEPA direct debits, based on the rulebooks and agreements laid out by the European Payments Council (EPC).
SEPA Credit Transfer
Using the euroSIC system, financial institutions can submit and receive SEPA credit transfers easily.
SEPA Core Direct Debit Scheme
The SEPA Core Direct Debit Scheme Rulebook is the basis for processing SEPA-compliant direct debits for private customers. It stipulates that:
- debtors must be granted the right to object
- pre-notification of an upcoming debiting of the debtor by the creditor is required
- clearly defined chargeback processes exist
- transactions are processed using standard formats (ISO 20022) and data content (IBAN and BIC)
SEPA Business-to-Business Direct Debit Scheme
The SEPA Business-to-Business Direct Debit Scheme is used for business customers. It essentially differs from the SEPA Core Direct Debit Scheme in that:
- the debtor must be a bank or a business,
- the debtors need not be granted the right to object,
- no refund is possible once the debtor’s account has been debited, and
- shorter terms can be used.
SEPA Direct Debits for Financial Institutions in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Financial institutions in Switzerland and Liechtenstein that participate in the SEPA direct debit scheme require, among other things, new contracts, new creditor identification numbers (creditor identifiers) and new direct debit authorizations (mandates). Mandates are the prerequisite for collecting payments from the debtors. The debtor thereby authorizes the creditor to debit his/her account at the financial institution provided.
Resources and Support
Participation in the SEPA Credit Transfer Scheme
Financial institutions must submit the following forms in Word format, duly signed and dated, to SIX Interbank Clearing. Once they have been checked, SIX Interbank Clearing forwards the documents to the EPC (European Payments Council), which confirms their receipt in writing to the financial institution. The EPC also directly informs the financial institution of the approval decision.
Form 1:
Form 2:
- SEPA Credit Transfer Scheme Schedule (Annex B-2)
- SEPA Credit Transfer Scheme Schedule to the Adherence Agreement – Template