Insights

The U.S. jobs market remains robust, and uncertainty surrounding tariffs is causing the Federal Reserve to pause its actions. Meanwhile, most G10 central banks, except the Bank of Japan, are likely to cut rates before the Fed resumes easing. This should theoretically strengthen the USD against ...

For finance and operations leaders, international vendor payments are often a source of friction. Manual processes, time zone differences, and regulatory complexity can quickly drain your team’s resources. The good news: streamlining your global payment process doesn’t require a big investment in ...

Expanding international wire capabilities does not have to mean added risk, cost, or complexity. This one-pager outlines how financial institutions can partner with Ascendant through Fiserv to offer foreign currency wires in 130+ currencies across 200 countries and territories. It highlights how ...

Ascendant is a leading provider of global payments and currency risk mitigation solutions across North America and Europe. We help businesses and financial institutions send, receive, and track global payments with real-time rates, full visibility, and built-in compliance. Learn how you can gain ...

The opening words of last month’s letter couldn’t have been more fitting: “There’s no turning back now, and the rest of the world knows it.” The events that followed proved just how true that was. On April 2nd, “Liberation Day,” the reciprocal tariffs announcement felt less like true reciprocity ...

Market volatility isn’t just a headline—it’s a real risk for any business moving money across borders. When FX rates swing, interest rates spike, or trade policy shifts overnight, your international payment costs, timing, and compliance risks can all change in a matter of hours. In this guide, ...

One of the biggest frustrations with international wire payments is losing visibility the moment funds are sent. This one-pager explains how Ascendant’s Payment Tracking, powered by SWIFT gpi, gives you real-time insight into every stage of your payment’s journey. From correspondent banks used, to ...

International wires matter most to the clients who depend on them. This one-pager outlines how Ascendant’s aPay integration within Q2 helps financial institutions elevate the digital banking experience while simplifying global payments. Clients can send and manage international wires directly ...

There’s no turning back now, and the rest of the world knows it. The reciprocal tariffs set to be announced on Wednesday, April 2nd, won’t resolve uncertainty—they will merely mark the beginning. Whatever is unveiled will serve as the opening salvo of President Trump’s trade war. These tariffs will ...

The Evolving Landscape of Cross-Border Payments Cross-border payments are entering a new era. For businesses of every size, sending money internationally isn’t just about wiring funds—it’s about speed, accuracy, compliance, and keeping costs in check. In 2025, innovations like real-time rails, ...

The Japanese yen was the top-performing currency in February, appreciating by 3.05% due to a combination of rising Japanese interest rates and a decline in U.S. 10-year interest rates. As illustrated in the chart above, the USD weakened against the yen, dropping from approximately 159 in early ...

New 2025 tariffs are shaking up global trade and, with it, the cost and complexity of international payments. Businesses can’t afford to wait and see. Here’s what’s changed, what it means for your bottom line, and what you can do right now to protect margins and keep payments flowing. What’s ...