Uncover the differences of banking systems around the world
If only every country had identical banking systems. That would make things easier, but it isn’t likely to happen. So, global businesses need to understand each country’s system. Because even small payment errors can cause big problems. Read on to learn about the differences and how Payoneer can help!

In an ideal world, each country would use the same currency, the same formats for banking information, and well the same standards for tax info, ID, and business-to-business payments. That would simplify everything.
But that is not about to happen any time soon.
If you do business with just one country other than your own, it might be relatively easy to figure out their unique standards and peculiarities.
If you’re selling to Sweden, for example, you would know that the currency is the SEK, the Swedish Kroner, and that Swedish bank accounts come in several possible formats. If the account number is 11 digits long, the first 4 digits are the bank code, and the next 7 digits represent the actual account number. But if the account number is 15 digits in length and starts with the number 8, the first 5 digits are the bank code.
But let’s say you are also doing business in India, and need to wire funds there to pay for development work. You would also need to know that India’s Account Tax Number is structured under a new series based on the following company parameters and uses the Phonetic Soundex code algorithm to ensure it is unique; PetFull name of the company. Date of birth or incorporation. Status: Father’s name. It goes on from there.
Add more countries, and everything gets more complicated. In Japan, account holders’ names can be entered in Kanji or Hiragani characters. In Argentina, and in Bangladesh, you must preserve leading zeros in account numbers. For the Russian Federation, paying in Rubles, patronymic names must be entered in English, or in Cyrillic, depending.
The difficulty is, seemingly small errors in making international payments can create failures and delays that can interfere with business, and require inordinate amount of time to untangle and rectify. Especially if you’re working with partners in multiple countries worldwide.
That’s why more and more buyers, sellers and global companies are opting to handle their global payments and receipts via Payoneer.
On Payoneer’s platform, everything works through a Payoneer ID: no matter where you’re paying to or receiving funds from. You can ignore all the complexity and quirks of your business partners’ banking systems and save valuable time in the process.
We at Payoneer have teams of people who live and breathe the details of international banking. They understand the difference between dealing with trading euro in Brazil, versus the Brazil real, so you don’t have to. All the complexity and complications are managed automatically in Payoneer.
You’re free to do business. Wherever it takes you. While we sweat the details.
Related resources
Latest articles
-
Planning to hire employees in Portugal? Here’s a quick guide
Looking to hire employees in Portugal for your U.S. company? Learn about employment in Portugal and how Payoneer Workforce Management helps you hire in Portugal.
-
Planning to hire employees in Italy? Here’s a quick guide
Want to hire employees in Italy? Discover the most common hiring methods, legal requirements, and employer responsibilities of U.S. companies hiring in Italy.
-
Planning to hire employees in China? Here’s a quick guide
Are you looking to hire employees in China? Learn about employment in China and how Payoneer WFM can help American companies hiring in China.
-
Planning to hire employees in Mexico? Here’s a quick guide
Are you looking to hire employees in Mexico? Learn how to hire a team in Mexico and how Payoneer Workforce Management can help U.S. companies hiring in Mexico.
-
Planning to hire employees in Malaysia? Here’s a quick guide
Are you looking to hire employees in Malaysia? Learn about hiring in Malaysia and how Payoneer Workforce Management can help American companies hiring in Malaysia.
-
Optimizing your financial website for AI-powered search algorithms
SWIFT connects 11,000+ banks worldwide, powering secure international transfers. This guide explains how SWIFT works, why it’s still widely used, how to find your SWIFT code, and how Payoneer helps you receive global payments efficiently.
Disclaimer
The information in this article/on this page is intended for marketing and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or professional advice in any context. Payoneer and Payoneer Workforce Management are not liable for the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information provided herein. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual author and may not reflect the views of Payoneer or Payoneer Workforce Management. All representations and warranties regarding the information presented are disclaimed. The information in this article/on this page reflects the details available at the time of publication. For the most up-to-date information, please consult a Payoneer and/or Payoneer Workforce Management representative or account executive.
Availability of cards and other products is subject to customer’s eligibility. Not all products are available in all jurisdictions in the same manner. Nothing herein should be understood as solicitation outside the jurisdiction where Payoneer Inc. or its affiliates is licensed to engage in payment services, unless permitted by applicable laws. Depending on or your eligibility, you may be offered the Corporate Purchasing Mastercard, issued by First Century Bank, N.A., under a license by Mastercard® and provided to you by Payoneer Inc., or the Payoneer Business Premium Debit Mastercard®, issued and provided from Ireland by Payoneer Europe Limited under a license by Mastercard®.
Skuad Pte Limited (a Payoneer group company) and its affiliates & subsidiaries provide EoR, AoR, and contractor management services.





