
Implementing a bank services billing standard is crucial for efficient and accurate billing. A standardized approach helps to reduce errors and inconsistencies in billing.
Clear and transparent billing requirements are essential for effective billing. This includes specifying the types of services to be billed, such as account maintenance, transaction processing, and customer support.
For instance, a bank may require a specific format for billing statements, including the date, account number, and detailed description of services rendered. This ensures that customers can easily understand their bills.
By implementing a standardized billing process, banks can reduce disputes and improve customer satisfaction.
Discover more: Dental Insurance Billing Services
Introduction
The Bank Services Billing (BSB) standard is part of the ISO 20022 family of standards, designed to provide bank bill transparency globally.
This standard was developed in response to corporate practitioner demands for clarity in bank fee statements. The BSB standard is a result of modern technologies, including business process modeling and XML syntax.
A different take: Standard Bank Payment

The BSB standard is the focal point of new industry efforts to harmonize bank billing across the globe. It's the latest version of the TWIST standard, developed by TWIST and ISO 20022.
Several standards are still in use, including TWIST BSB, AFP Global Service Codes, and legacy bank billing standards like ANSI x12 822. These standards are still supported by various banks, application vendors, and corporations.
The creation of billing standards was driven by the interest of corporate treasury practitioners like GE and others. Their continued interest and advocacy are essential to the adoption and value of the BSB standard.
The BSB standard can be used for both bank statements and invoices, with subtle differences between the two.
Broaden your view: Standard Chartered Bank Cc Payment
Regulations and Standards
The European Union's Payment Accounts Directive (PAD) aims to protect retail customers by providing standardized fee statements to clients, promoting transparency and comparability of fee information. This regulation is also applicable in the UK, where it was implemented in 2016.

The PAD requires payment service providers to establish minimum standards for switching payment accounts, and to provide access to basic bank accounts for everyone. The European Banking Authority (EBA) defines the relevant technical standards for this regulation.
In the UK, the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 (PARs) implemented the PAD, with most provisions on transparency and comparability of fee information coming into force in 2018.
If this caught your attention, see: Fdic Insurance for Business Accounts
EU & UK Regulation
The EU and UK have implemented regulations to ensure transparency and comparability of fee information for payment services providers. The Payment Accounts Directive (PAD) aims to protect retail customers by requiring providers to give standardized fee statements.
In the EU, the European Banking Authority (EBA) defines the technical standards for standardized terminology and disclosure documents under the PAD. These standards were published on September 22, 2016.
The UK Government has implemented the PAD through the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 (PARs), which came into effect on September 18, 2016. Most provisions on transparency and comparability of fee information will come into force at a later date, potentially 2018.
A fresh viewpoint: Offshore Bank Account Uk

The benefits of implementing PAD are clear: 83% of bank respondents think providing e-Billing will improve relations with clients, and 95% of corporate respondents believe receiving e-Billing will improve relations with their banks.
Here are some key statistics on the adoption of e-Billing:
- 52% of banks provide e-Billing statements globally and/or in Europe.
- 61% of corporate respondents receive e-Billing statements globally and/or in Europe.
These statistics suggest that many banks and corporate clients are already taking advantage of e-Billing. However, it's up to companies to push banks to make electronic billing happen, as noted in a Treasury & Risk article.
EU Regulations Impact on BSB
The EU's Payment Accounts Directive (PAD) has had a significant impact on the Bank Services Billing (BSB) standard. The PAD requires payment service providers to provide standardized fee statements to their clients, which has led to increased transparency and comparability of fee information.
This regulation has been implemented in the UK through the Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 (PARs), which came into effect on 18 September 2016. Most provisions on transparency and comparability of fee information are set to come into force in 2018.

In fact, 83% of bank respondents believe that providing e-Billing will definitely or possibly improve relations with clients. This is a clear indication that the industry is moving towards electronic billing.
The BSB standard, developed by TWIST, aims to obtain an electronic billing statement from international banks in a standard format. This standard has been adopted by Denmark's Danske Bank, which is using it to deliver detailed information to corporate treasurers and wholesale clients.
Here are some key dates in the development of the BSB standard:
These dates demonstrate the ongoing development and refinement of the BSB standard, which is designed to improve the efficiency and transparency of bank services billing.
BSB Standard
The BSB Standard is an industry standard that governs the format of electronic bills sent out by financial institutions to wholesale customers. It's developed by TWIST, a not-for-profit industry group.
The standard is designed to provide a common format for electronic bills, making it easier for corporations to manage their bank relationships. This includes detailed information on chargeable service events, tax, and currency.
Twist's BSB standard has been implemented by Denmark's Danske Bank, which uses it to deliver detailed information to corporate treasurers and wholesale clients, such as General Electric.
Here's an interesting read: Banking Industry Architecture Network
BSB – Evolution of a Standard

The Bank Services Billing standard, or BSB, has a fascinating history. It was initially developed by TWIST in 2006.
The first version of the standard was published in 2006, marking the beginning of a long journey towards standardization.
The BSB standard has undergone significant changes over the years. In 2009, a new version of the standard was published by ISO 20022, including various improvements.
This new version of the standard, camt.086, was the first to be published under the ISO 20022 family of standards. It was a major step forward in terms of standardization.
The BSB standard has gained significant traction since its introduction. By 2010, it was seeing its first use in the market.
Today, the BSB standard is widely supported by banks and financial application providers. It has also gained popularity among corporate treasury practitioners.
Consider reading: Banca Intesa San Paolo New York
BSB Current Adoption and Availability
The BSB standard is gaining traction, and it's exciting to see how far it's come. 16 banks are currently in production with BSB, either using the original TWIST version or the newer ISO 20022 version.

This is a significant milestone, and it's a testament to the standard's growing adoption. Other banks may be in production as well, but they haven't publicly declared their use of BSB.
Let's take a closer look at the adoption rates. Here are some key statistics:
- 16 banks are known to be in production with BSB.
- 13 application vendors support the standard, with 9 supporting end users (bill recipients) and 4 supporting banks.
These numbers demonstrate the standard's growing acceptance and use in the industry. It's a promising sign for the future of BSB.
Standardizing Codes and Formats
Standardizing codes and formats is a crucial step in streamlining bank services billing. As of January 2016, over 50 subscribers, including the top 15 global banks, have adopted the AFP's Global Service Codes GSC.
The Bank Services Billing (BSB) standard, developed by TWIST, aims to provide a common format for electronic bills sent by financial institutions to wholesale customers. This standard takes the form of a periodic electronic statement that lists all chargeable service events.
Multiple formats are supported, including camt.086 and TWIST-XML, with CSV and XLS being added as needed. This flexibility allows for connection to multiple banks using common electronic formats.
You might enjoy: Wells Fargo Announces Third Quarter Common Stock Dividend Increase.
Standardization of Codes

In 2016, over 50 subscribers, including the top 15 global banks, adopted the Association of Financial Professionals' Global Service Codes GSC.
The need for standardization is driven by the desire of large multinational corporations to streamline their banking practices.
As of 2016, the top 15 global banks, including the largest 5 banks, are subscribers to the AFP's Global Service Codes GSC.
The Association of Financial Professionals' Global Service Codes GSC has over 50 subscribers, including large corporates and technology vendors.
The AFP Service Codes are used to standardize bank billing codes, making it easier for corporations to manage their bank relationships.
A task force of 19 bankers, corporates, and software vendors updated the AFP Service Codes in 2020, led by Redbridge.
The update aimed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of bank billing codes, benefiting both banks and corporations.
The new update includes changes to the service codes, ensuring that they remain relevant and effective in the modern banking landscape.
By standardizing bank billing codes, corporations can reduce the complexity and cost of managing their bank relationships.
In 2020, a task force updated the AFP Service Codes, making them more accurate and efficient for use in the banking industry.
Multiple Formats

The benefits of standardizing codes and formats are numerous, but one key advantage is the flexibility to connect to multiple banks using common electronic formats. This is especially relevant in large multinational corporations, where managing international bank fees can be a daunting task.
TWIST, a not-for-profit industry group, has developed a standard format for electronic bills called the Bank Services Billing (BSB) standard. This standard allows for the electronic transmission of information relating to bank charges in a common format.
The BSB standard is designed to simplify the process of obtaining an electronic billing statement from international banks. According to TWIST, Denmark's Danske Bank has become the first European bank to use this standard to deliver detailed information to corporate treasurers and wholesale clients.
Using a common format like TWIST-XML can help streamline banking practices and reduce the labor-intensive process of analyzing bank fees. This can also provide management with global bank relationship metrics, making it easier to track and manage international cash management fees.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Management of Bank Deposits
Services and Processes

The Bank Services Billing Standard (BSB) offers a range of services and processes that make managing bank fees a breeze.
One of the key services is Straight Through Processing, which enables fully electronic processing and automatic checking of fee statements. This eliminates the need for manual effort and reduces the risk of errors.
The BSB standard also includes a fully digital billing process that allows for consistent and efficient processing of fee settlements. This includes automatic checking of the content of fee statements.
The BSB module provides flexible interfaces for further processing of data in third-party systems, making it easy to integrate with existing systems.
- Straight Through Processing
- Documentation
- Formats
- Reports
- Security
- Integration
Read File
The ability to read a file is a crucial aspect of our services.
We have a demo that showcases this capability, where Dan Gill presents our bank fee monitoring software, HawkeyeBSB, to the four Treasury Dragons.
This software is designed to monitor bank fees, which is a key part of our services.
Suggestion: Banking Software
Services Standard

The Bank Services Billing (BSB) standard governs the format of electronic bills sent out by financial institutions to wholesale customers, such as corporations and governments.
This standard is developed by TWIST, a not-for-profit industry group delivering open, XML-based standards in certain financial processes.
The BSB standard is designed to obtain an electronic billing statement from international banks in a standard format, making it easier for corporations to accurately verify international bank fees.
Denmark's Danske Bank was the first European bank to use the Twist BSB standard, delivering detailed information to corporate treasurers and wholesale clients.
The BSB standard requires that billing statements be periodic, detailed, and customizable to clients' requirements, and that they cover statutory payment details and provide a tracking of repayment.
Here are some key aspects of the BSB standard:
- Periodic billing statements
- Details of transaction, including client reference number
- Statutory payment details
- Customizable format
- Tracking of repayment
- Reconciliation of repayment
The standard also aims to provide management with global bank relationship metrics, making it easier for corporations to manage their international cash management fees.
If this caught your attention, see: Rbc Wealth Management Internship
Error Prevention and Updates

To prevent errors in bank services billing, it's essential to have a clear and standardized process in place. This includes regular updates to the billing system to ensure it's running smoothly.
The Bank Services Billing Standard recommends that banks provide customers with a clear breakdown of charges on their statements, making it easier for them to identify any discrepancies.
Banks should also implement a system for tracking and resolving customer complaints in a timely manner, as seen in the example of XYZ Bank's customer complaint process. This process allows customers to report issues and receive a resolution within 5 business days.
Regular system updates can help prevent errors and ensure that customers receive accurate bills. For instance, ABC Bank updates its billing system quarterly to ensure it's aligned with the latest industry standards.
By following these guidelines, banks can reduce the risk of errors and improve customer satisfaction.
Here's an interesting read: Ubs Hiring Process
Benefits and Process
The Bank Services Billing Standard (BSB) offers a fully digital billing process, eliminating the need for manual effort and costly paper documents. This is a game-changer for businesses, saving time and resources.

With the BSB module, you can display statements from all your banks for freely definable periods in meaningful lists and diagrams. This level of transparency is a huge advantage.
Straight Through Processing is a key benefit of the BSB, allowing for seamless and automated processing of fee settlements. This reduces errors and increases efficiency.
The BSB also provides flexible interfaces for further processing of data in third-party systems. This is a major advantage for businesses with complex systems.
Here are some of the key features of the BSB:
- Straight Through Processing
- Documentation
- Formats
- Reports
- Security
- Integration
The BSB module also includes features like documentation, formats, reports, security, and integration, which are all essential for a smooth and secure billing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bank charge for services rendered by the bank?
Bank charges for services rendered are fees levied by the bank for services such as monthly account fees, ATM fees, and foreign transaction fees. These charges are typically categorized under "Banking and Credit Card Fees
What is billing in banking?
Billing in banking is the process of sending invoices to customers and collecting payments within a specified timeframe, ensuring companies can cover costs and generate revenue. It's a critical step in managing cash flow and maintaining a healthy business.
What is the meaning of BSB in invoice?
BSB stands for Bank Services Billing, a standard format for electronic bills sent by financial institutions to businesses and organizations worldwide. It ensures consistency in reporting bank fees and charges across different countries and currencies.
Sources
- https://www.redbridgedta.com/us/market-intelligence/bank-services-billing-standards-market-adoption/
- https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/7956667
- https://docs.oracle.com/en/industries/financial-services/revenue-management-billing/70000/ormb-online-help/Topics/C1_Banking_Statement_Formats.html
- https://www.redbridgedta.com/market-intelligence/the-bsb-files-understanding-bank-services-billing/
- https://www.omikron.de/en/solutions/corporates/multicash/bank-service-billing/
Featured Images: pexels.com