This article explores the fastest ways to receive international payments in the UK, backed by recent industry findings and real-world examples. We cover both traditional and digital solutions, common pitfalls of hidden delays and explain why digital-first banks like Ampere are often ahead when it comes to speed.
International payments are not as slow as they used to be. For small and medium UK businesses working with overseas clients or suppliers, receiving funds quickly is often the difference between smooth operations and cash flow “incidents”. While traditional banking networks like SWIFT still dominate cross-border transfers, they are no longer the only option. Today, thanks to the digital revolution of banking, businesses can combine faster payment methods, multi-currency accounts, and digital tools to ensure that money arrives on time and at a transparent and predictable cost.
Why Speed Matters in Cross-Border Payments
Delays in international transfers can create operational risks, especially for SMEs. A late payment from an overseas client may push back payroll or supplier settlements. In some cases, a delay of two or three days can disrupt your supply chain cash flow planning and result in late payment penalties and complicate overall logistics.
A 2025 survey by a UK fintech institute found that over 40% of SMEs experienced at least one significant delay in receiving international funds in the past year. The study noted that delays were not always caused by the sender but often by intermediary banks, currency conversion checks, or incomplete documentation. Businesses that adopted digital multi-currency accounts reported faster payment times (with almost 50% reduction of delays) compared to those relying solely on traditional banks.
Common Barriers to Fast International Transfers
Before discussing the fastest solutions, it’s important to understand why cross-border payments can take days instead of hours:
- SWIFT network routing: Traditional payments may pass through multiple correspondent banks, each adding time and possible fees.
- Compliance checks: Missing or incomplete sender details trigger extra verification steps.
- Currency conversions: If the receiving account only accepts GBP, foreign currency is often converted automatically, adding processing time.
- Bank cut-off times: Payments sent after certain hours are processed the next business day.
Regulation and compliance is a constant consideration most of the time, but many other things are technological and administrative issues. These are structural issues that accumulate over time into notable bottom-line impact. Thanks to banks like digital banks like Ampere, some of them can be optimized with the right account setup and payment method.
The Fastest Methods to Receive International Payments
1. Localised Payment Routes (SEPA, ACH, Faster Payments)
Whenever possible, choose payment networks designed for specific regions. For example:
- SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area): Ideal for receiving EUR payments within Europe. Funds typically arrive within 24 hours, often the same day. SEPA includes 41 countries (which include the EU, the UK and some other countries)
- ACH transfers (Automated clearing house): For US-based clients, ACH is faster and cheaper than SWIFT, especially when paired with a USD account in the UK. ACH appeared first in the UK and the US in the late 1960s. Essentially, it’s just a special kind of private computer network for processing and settling large batches of transactions.
- Faster Payments: If the transfer is already in GBP and within the UK system, the money can arrive almost instantly. For UK-domestic payments this is the fastest option. This platform was launched around 2008, same as SEPA, but focuses on small UK-only payments.
Example: A Manchester-based design studio switched all EU invoices to SEPA transfers and saw their average payment time drop from 3 days to under 12 hours.
2. Multi-Currency Accounts
Receiving foreign currency directly without forced conversion into GBP saves both time and money. With a multi-currency account, a client can pay you in USD, EUR, or CHF, and the funds stay in that currency until you decide what to do with them.
This method eliminates the extra step of conversion at the sending bank’s end, which often introduces delays and unfavourable rates.
A 2025 report from a London business school highlighted that SMEs with dedicated USD and EUR accounts received payments 35% faster on average, as fewer intermediary checks were required.
3. Payment Platforms with Integrated Banking
Some payment providers (Stripe, Wise Business, Payoneer) offer virtual accounts that act as local bank accounts in multiple currencies. When clients pay locally, the funds are routed faster than international transfers.
However, these platforms often charge higher FX margins (0.5–1.5%) when you move funds to your main account. It’s worth balancing speed with cost.
4. Instant Payment Rails from Digital Banks
Modern digital-first banks now integrate with real-time payment infrastructures. This means that even cross-border payments can clear in under 24 hours, especially if both parties use the same platform or compatible APIs.
Case study: A UK-based SaaS company receiving monthly USD payments from US customers switched to a banking service with ACH clearance and enabled direct USD payments without forced FX conversion. As the result, cash received delays got reduced from 3-4 days to just 1 day – all thanks to switching to a digital bank that supported direct USD inflows.
In this case, Ampere bank experts note the importance of the origin of your customer transactions. A wise strategy will be planning for multiple account and currency routes, depending on your financial geography.
5. Clear Invoicing and Payment Instructions
Delays often happen because the sender’s bank lacks proper details. Always include:
- IBAN and SWIFT/BIC codes.
- The receiving account’s currency.
- A clear reference or invoice number.
Companies that standardise their payment instructions see fewer compliance holds and faster settlements.
Tips to Maximise Payment Speed
The findings of our expert team and online reports confirm that digital-first solutions consistently outperform traditional banking when it comes to cross-border transfer speed. The 35% faster payment processing observed with dedicated multi-currency accounts highlights tangible benefits of modern banking approaches. With these insights in mind, let's examine some practical tips that can help maximize payment speed regardless of which methods are used:
- Use currency-specific invoicing: Request payments in the currency your client uses to avoid conversion delays.
- Monitor bank cut-off times: Ask your clients to send funds before midday UK time to catch same-day processing.
- Automate reminders: Follow up proactively with clients if payments do not arrive on schedule.
- Consider partial prepayments: For larger contracts, pre-agreed instalments reduce the risk of single large delays.
What Digital Banks Do Differently
Traditional banks rely on older infrastructure and batch-based processing, which slows things down. Digital banks, by contrast, operate on API-driven systems, enabling:
- Real-time payment tracking.
- Lower FX margins (no hidden spreads).
- Integrated multi-currency wallets.
Based on published benchmarks Ampere bank is in the top tier for international payment speed and transparency. Businesses cited faster routing for USD and EUR transfers, as well as the ability to hold these currencies directly.
Ampere’s accounts support GBP, EUR, USD, and CHF, each as a separate balance, with transparent FX margins (0.35% for GBP/EUR and 0.55% for USD/CHF). This means you choose when to convert funds, rather than being forced into the bank’s default process.
Quick Summary – The Fastest Routes for Business Payments
- Use SEPA or ACH instead of SWIFT where possible.
- Hold multiple currencies to avoid double conversions.
- Partner with digital banks offering real-time payment tracking.
- Standardise invoicing details to reduce compliance holds.
- Balance speed vs. FX costs when using third-party payment platforms.
