Article facts
| Payment rail | Currency | Typical use | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEPA | EUR | Euro payments within the SEPA area | According to SEPA scheme and participating-institution rules |
| SEPA Instant | EUR | Time-sensitive euro payments | Near real time when both institutions and the transaction are eligible |
| Faster Payments | GBP | UK domestic payments | Usually rapid, subject to network and provider availability |
| SWIFT | Multiple | International payments | Depends on banks, correspondent routes and compliance checks |
| ACH | USD | Eligible US domestic payments | According to ACH and participating-institution rules |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-09 |
Each rail in detail
SEPA enables euro-denominated transfers between participating institutions in the Single Euro Payments Area. It is generally used for customer payments, supplier payments, commercial invoices and other euro-denominated transfers.
SEPA Instant is designed for rapid euro payments. Instant processing is available only when the sending institution supports the scheme, the receiving institution supports the scheme, the payment meets applicable limits and eligibility requirements, and the service is operational at the time of the transfer.
Faster Payments is a UK payment network for eligible domestic GBP transfers. Access may depend on the account details, participating institutions and approved transaction limits.
SWIFT is used for international payments and payment messages between financial institutions. A SWIFT payment may involve intermediary or correspondent institutions, which affects timing and the final amount.
ACH is a US payment network used for eligible USD payments. It may be appropriate for qualifying business collections, supplier payments and other US domestic transfers. Availability depends on the payment type and account configuration.
Availability is per customer
Access to a rail is part of the approved configuration. A rail described here is one the platform can provide, not a confirmation that it was enabled for your company. Check the offer.
Frequently asked questions
Does every account support all rails? No. The available payment rails depend on the approved account configuration.
Are SEPA Instant payments always instant? No. Both participating institutions and the transaction must be eligible for the instant scheme.
Is ACH available for every USD payment? No. ACH availability depends on the payment type, account configuration and participating providers.
Can intermediary banks charge fees on SWIFT payments? Yes. Correspondent, intermediary or beneficiary institutions may apply charges.
This article is explanatory. The individual offer and applicable agreements prevail if they differ from it.