Insights

International payments are no longer optional for financial institutions, but managing them in-house can be costly, complex, and risky. This brochure outlines how Ascendant helps banks and credit unions expand their global payment capabilities without competing for client relationships, overloading ...

As September draws to a close, the foreign exchange markets have navigated a turbulent landscape shaped by diverging central bank policies, rising bond yields, and mounting U.S. fiscal pressures. The U.S. dollar (DXY) has logged a steep year-to-date decline of more than 10.7% against the DXY ...

International wire payments shouldn’t feel like a black box. This one-pager introduces Track 360®, Ascendant’s payment tracking solution powered by SWIFT gpi, giving you and your vendors real-time visibility into every stage of your payment journey. From payment status, associated fees, and ...

August was turbulent for currency markets, with the US dollar weakening against nearly all major peers as the Federal Reserve signaled a pivotal shift in monetary policy. The lone exception was the New Zealand dollar, pressured by falling dairy prices—whole milk powder auctions slipped 3%—and the ...

In volatile currency markets, your foreign exchange (FX) strategy can mean the difference between protecting your margins and watching them disappear. Spot and forward contracts are two of the most effective tools for managing FX risk—but knowing when to use each can help you take control of your ...

International wires can feel complex, especially for credit unions managing compliance, member service expectations, and operational efficiency. This one-pager outlines how Ascendant’s direct integration with Symitar Episys enables straight-through processing for international transactions within ...

The U.S. dollar index (DXY) endured a volatile July, snapping a six-month decline only to reverse sharply after a dismal employment report. From January through June, the DXY fell nearly 10.8%, but rebounded 2.0% early in July following stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls data. However, the ...

If you’re still processing global payments manually, you know the pain: hours lost to data entry, constant reconciliations, late-night stress over errors, and endless vendor emails asking, “Where’s my money?” Manual payment processes aren’t just old-fashioned—they’re a daily grind that holds your ...

The first half of 2025 has delivered a broad-based setback for the USD, which has declined sharply against all major currencies. Year to date, the greenback is down 14.38% against the Swiss franc, 14.19% against the euro, 9.90% against the British pound, 8.84% against the Japanese yen, 8.01% ...

Ascendant makes international payments easy. We combine advanced technology with deep FX and global payments expertise to help businesses move money faster, with fewer errors and less manual work. Serving 1,500+ corporations and processing over 1.4 million transactions annually, we deliver ...

Financial institutions are under pressure to expand international payment capabilities while managing compliance, cost, and operational complexity. This one-pager outlines how Ascendant supports banks and credit unions with a total international payments approach, delivering 140 currencies to over ...

Payment errors aren’t just annoying—they’re a real business risk. Every mistake in a cross-border payment can mean delayed deliveries, lost trust, extra bank fees, or even regulatory trouble. Mid-market and enterprise finance teams need more than a “good enough” approach to accuracy. You need a ...