In an effort to bridge the gap between instant payment expectations and slow processing caused by inefficient cross-border payment rails, BBVA introduces instant payments for cross-border transfers coming from outside the eurozone.
The new BBVA payment solution lets banks outside Europe send money to Spain in seconds, giving businesses faster cash flow and providing customers with instant and seamless access to funds.
Through its BBVA Directa service, the bank now uses Iberpay’s One-Leg Out Instant Credit Transfer (OCT Inst) system to process incoming international payments in real time. Transfers arrive in seconds, work 24/7 with no cut-off times, and can be tracked end-to-end via SWIFT’s GPI Tracker. Sending banks decide which payments to route through the instant system, giving them more control over liquidity and costs.
The setup is seamless, so no extra technical work is needed. BBVA converts incoming orders into the OCT Inst format and settles them immediately on the back-end, while recipients get their funds right away. This helps companies strengthen cash and reconciliation processes while giving individuals a faster, smoother experience.
Spain’s banking sector has been at the forefront of adopting OCT Inst, and BBVA is among the service pioneer supporters, acting as an intermediary for international institutions. Cross-border instant payments are becoming a major driver in global transaction banking, with demand rising from multinationals seeking real-time liquidity.
By combining advanced infrastructure with a client-first approach, BBVA is positioning itself as a trusted partner across retail, corporate, SME, and institutional segments. The bank continues to evolve toward industry-specific services, supported by AI, data, and agile tools that anticipate customer needs and deliver tailored solutions.
