Bank of England Delays RTGS Standards Release to Align with Swift

The Bank of England has delayed its release of RTGS standards to align with Swift's postponed update. This decision affects messaging standards for CHAPS payments and is intended to maintain interoperability while reducing late-stage implementation risks.

The delay follows Swift's announcement that it would postpone its November 2026 standards update due to industry requests for more preparation time. The removal of the unstructured postal address format is a concern for global readiness, which both institutions are prioritizing.

The Bank of England will provide updates on revised timelines and planning adjustments for market participants. It continues to engage with Swift, other market infrastructures, and RTGS participants on next steps.