ISO 20022 is more than a messaging update
A new whitepaper from The ValueExchange in collaboration with SmartStream argues that ISO 20022 is more than a messaging update. Its structured data model could help firms handle corporate actions more efficiently, reducing reliance on manual workflows and fragmented data. The paper, the third in The ValueExchange’s ISO 20022 series, says the standard allows post‑trade data to be “decision‑ready” across the full event lifecycle.
Many firms today still use narrative‑based processes and repeated reconciliations, which slow down operations and increase the risk of errors. ISO 20022 embeds identifiers, hierarchies, and relationships directly in the data. This makes it easier to track status, entitlements, and exceptions in real time, reducing manual intervention and supporting faster, more accurate decision‑making.
Early adopters reported fewer manual steps, lower post‑event claims, and stronger audit trails. Built‑in data lineage also helps trace information across custodial chains, something legacy systems struggle with.
The paper frames ISO 20022 as more than a compliance exercise. Firms that treat it as a shared data and workflow model can cut costs, improve automation, and create common services for data and exception handling. The standard can act both as protection against fragmentation and as a driver of operational improvement in a world of tighter deadlines and rising volumes.
