Sparkasse starts real-time transfers: all questions and answer
Today, a new era begins for savings bank customers: with the so-called instant payments, transfers that land from one account to the other within seconds are possible. This is possible around the clock and on every day of the year without exception, but it may cost something. Update with any additional costs for all savings banks infographic: real-time transfers in the SEPA area
SEPA instant Credit Transfer
Für rund 40 Millionen Bankkunden beginnt heute eine neue Ära: Denn die ersten Deutschen Sparkassen starten ihr Instant-Payment-System. Dieses beschleunigt Geldtransfers signifikant und ergänzt das bisherige SEPA-System. Die Sparkassen sind die zweite Bankengruppe Deutschlands, die das anbieten, bereits seit Ende des Vorjahres bietet die HypoVereinsbank den "SEPA instant Credit Transfer" an.Aktuell dauern Geldtransfers nämlich in der Regel einen Tag: Denn die Sparkassen sammelten bisher die Kundenaufträge (auch jene, die über Online-Banking durchgeführt werden), diese werden an die Zentrale weitergeleitet, überprüft und dann erst freigegeben. Mit etwas Pech kann es noch länger dauern, denn wird eine Überweisung Ende der Woche oder vor Feier- oder Brückentagen in Auftrag gegeben, dann können es sogar mehrere Tage sein.Mit Instant Payments wird dieser Prozess nachhaltig beschleunigt, davon werden u. a. jene profitieren, die Überweisungen als Zahlungsweg beim Online-Shopping nutzen, da Händler normalerweise eine Ware erst verschicken, wenn sie das Geld erhalten haben. In Folge die wichtigsten Fragen und Antworten zu den neuen Überweisungen in Echtzeit:
What is a real-time transfer? In principle, a real-time transfer is carried out immediately, in practice savings banks speak of a maximum duration of 20 seconds. The instant payment system is a further development of the well-known SEPA transfer.
Do I need to use real-time transfer? No, no. The offer is optional, anyone who wants can still use the previous, slower SEPA money transfers. This is quite important, because real time transfers may be subject to additional charges.
How much extra does a real-time transfer cost? That is not clear. For some money institutions or account models no additional fees are charged or these are already covered in a lump sum, some savings banks charge 50 cents per quick transfer. In order to know the exact costs, you should contact your savings bank or the consultant there. Update 12.07.2018: on Konto.org you will find an overview of all German savings banks with the additional fees.
Are there days when you can & APOs; t transfer money in this way? No, no. The real-time bank transfer is available every day of the year, around the clock, so also on Sundays and public holidays. The standard transfer is, on the other hand, bound to the business hours of the respective savings bank.
What amounts can be transferred via real-time transfer? there is no limit on the amount of a standard transfer, but in the case of real time transfer, there is currently a maximum of 15,000 euros per transaction.
Do instant payments work without exception? No, no. In order for this method of payment to work, clients and recipients must offer it, which is currently the case with 22 European banks. The next German money tips are the Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken, where it is expected to start for customers in 2019.
What happens in case of errors? If there is a mistake in a transfer of funds, it may be more difficult in the future to reverse a transfer. Because the waiting time for a standard transfer is also a security cushion, precisely because the transfer is not carried out immediately. So whether and how difficult it will be to get money back will only show up.
Which savings banks offer real-time remittances? on the Sparkasse's financial portal, it says that the new transfer procedure "can be used in almost all savings banks". In practice, this means that many savings banks are starting with it today, but some do not follow until August. An exception is the Hamburger Sparkasse, according to the Hamburger Abendblatt, the money institute from the Hanseatic city will only start next year with real-time remittances, the reason is an IT changeover. A constantly updated list of all participating banks can be found on the website of the European payments Council.
Infographic: the advantages and disadvantages of instant payment
Logo, Bank, Banks, SparkasseMichael Gaida / CC0
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