SWIFT Global Tracker Sees RMB Payments Fall in International Use

SWIFT, a global provider of financial messaging services, has reported that its latest Chinese renminbi (RMB) tracker has revealed a diminishing use, having fallen back to the fifth most utilized currency for international Payments Payments One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonl One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonl Read this Term.

During September 2015, the RMB fell to fifth place amongst active currencies for international payments – previously the Chinese currency had reached fourth place, an all-time high. However, during September 2015, the RMB accounted for 2.45% of global payments, representing a decrease from 2.79% observed by the tracker in August 2015.

The revelation is tempered by recent data by SWIFT, which shows the underlying growth trajectory for the currency remains steadfast, despite relinquishing its spot in the international payments hierarchy.

Rather, “Last month’s RMB tracker showed a spike in RMB utilization, elevating the currency to the #4 position worldwide. Whether the RMB sits at position #4 or #5, what is important to note is the underlying growth of the currency, which is trending positive. Such a trend is supported by an increasing number of corporates adopting the RMB for trade settlement and a rising number of banks supporting those payments,” noted Michael Moon, Head of Payments, Asia-Pacific (APAC) Asia-Pacific (APAC) The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is one of the fastest growing in terms of population. This region in particular is of great importance to the financial services industry, as it is seen as the largest growth market for clients.APAC is comprised of diverse currency markets that are shaped by various and, at times, competing forces, from global regulation to local capital controls.The region has been seen as one of the hardest to enter by FX brokers for this reason, as well as grappling cultural or The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is one of the fastest growing in terms of population. This region in particular is of great importance to the financial services industry, as it is seen as the largest growth market for clients.APAC is comprised of diverse currency markets that are shaped by various and, at times, competing forces, from global regulation to local capital controls.The region has been seen as one of the hardest to enter by FX brokers for this reason, as well as grappling cultural or Read this Term) at SWIFT.

According to Mr. Moon, “Continued improvements in RMB processing through use of international standards and enhancing the services offered by financial institutions will also continue to strengthen the RMB and its role as an international payments currency.”

Overall, global RMB payments decreased in value by 5.57% in September 2015, whilst in general all payments currencies grew by 7.56%.

The announcement comes amidst a critical time for the RMB, which is presently vying for inclusion on the International Monetary Fund’s benchmark currency basket. China’s efforts have finally gained momentum in recent weeks however, following a recent report that discussions between the country and IMF will likely decide the currency’s membership next month.

China had previously made several concerted attempts at pushing the RMB’s adoption on the IMF’s benchmark currency basket – a feeling the country has made apparent during several IMF meetings over the past few months. China argued that a plethora of recent reforms had closed the qualification gap needed for outright induction on the currency basket.