International commerce has always relied on the ability to transfer funds across space and time but the evolution of the mechanics and strategies of cross-border payments remains somewhat murky. The main route for global payments in modern times has been through inter-bank relationships through which bank customers order and settle payments across borders. This framework of correspondent banking has survived the move in technology from paper to telegraph to electronic payments systems and persists into the digital era. Since 2008 the extent of the correspondent banking network has shrunk due to a variety of factors including costs of Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Finance of Terrorism regulations. This changing pattern has prompted recent research on the dynamics of the global correspondent banking network at the Financial Stability Board and the Bank for International Settlements, but to date the historical research on this critical infrastructure is limited. This workshop/conference seeks to bring together research on cross-border payments systems in a range of historical contexts.

Please see website for the programme: tinyurl.com/28r3uk9v