Batch Payments for Colombian Payment Service Providers: Quick Guide
Manual payment processing is still a major roadblock for Colombian payment service providers (PSPs) aiming to scale. According to the Fintech Colombia Association, 85% of Colombian businesses cite manual payment processing as a top operational pain point (Fintech Colombia Association, 2024). As payment volumes increase and regulations tighten, PSPs are searching for ways to reduce errors, control costs, and boost transparency—making batch payments an essential capability.
This guide explores the essentials of batch payments in Colombia, including regulatory requirements, operational benefits, real-world implementation, and the must-have features of a modern batch payment solution. If you’re seeking a platform that supports efficiency, compliance, and real-time settlement, Mural Pay delivers batch payments and more for leading Colombian payment service providers.
What Are Batch Payments—and Why Are They Critical for Colombian PSPs?
Think of batch payments as the difference between sending payments individually and executing them all at once with a single action. This capability is more than a convenience—41% of B2B transactions in Colombia are processed using batch payment methods, reflecting broad adoption among exporters, agencies, and fintechs (Rapyd Insights, 2024).
Colombia is considered a regional fintech leader, with over 300 licensed fintechs and more than 70 operating as PSPs. By using batch payments, PSPs can reduce transaction costs, minimize errors, and move money more quickly.
Some batch providers even support hundreds to thousands of payments per batch, making operational scale attainable for businesses of any size. For a market where digital payments are accelerating, batch payments are becoming an industry standard.
The Compliance and Regulatory Landscape: What Every PSP Must Know
It’s a question nearly every fintech leader faces: How do you handle compliance while scaling batch payments in Colombia’s regulatory framework?
Payment service providers must adhere to KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and strict transaction monitoring under Colombian law. All cross-border transactions are reported to the Central Bank, and data protection standards are mandatory.
SFC’s regulatory sandbox allows fintechs to pilot batch payment solutions under supervision and promote innovation. As Catalina Gutiérrez, Director of the Fintech Colombia Association, observes, “Regulatory clarity and compliance are the top challenges for batch payment adoption among Colombian fintechs” (BNAmericas, 2024).
What matters most is building compliance into your platform from day one. PSPs should regularly monitor SFC regulatory bulletins to stay ahead of policy updates.
For a more detailed strategy, see our cross-border payment compliance tips for Colombian SMEs.
Batch Payments vs. Manual Processing: Speed, Cost, and Error Reduction
Let’s compare the operational realities of batch payments with manual processing:
Feature/Factor | Manual Processing | Batch Payments (Fintech Solution) |
|---|---|---|
Processing Time | 8–12 hours per 100 payments | 1–2 hours per 100 payments |
Error Rate | Higher (manual entry) | Lower (automated, fewer touchpoints) |
Reconciliation | Slow, error-prone | Automated, real-time tracking |
Settlement Time | 1–3 business days (banks) | Same day to T+1 (fintech platforms) |
Cost | High per-transaction fees | Reduced/bulk pricing |
Eighty-five percent of Colombian businesses cite manual processing as a top pain point, which makes this shift even more urgent.
Cross-border payment volumes in Colombia grew 29% year-over-year in 2023, with batch payments accounting for 41% of all B2B transactions (Rapyd Insights, 2024). Businesses using bulk payments for vendors and contractors through Bill Pay solutions report significant time and cost savings, along with fewer reconciliation problems.
How Leading Colombian PSPs Implement Batch Payments (With Real-World Proof)
Mini Case Study: Mural Pay and a Virtual Assistant Agency
An Argentine virtual assistant agency previously managed over 80 monthly international payouts manually, facing high fees and reconciliation headaches. After switching to batch payments via Mural Pay, payout time dropped by 70% and contractor retention improved. Easy on/off-ramping for USDC deposits also enhanced contractor satisfaction.
Mini Case Study: Loggro S.A.S. (SME ERP Integration)
Colombian SMEs using Loggro’s ERP with integrated batch payment features reported faster processing, fewer errors, and better financial management. Freelancer platforms using batch APIs like Payoneer saw user satisfaction rise by 35%.
As digital transformation accelerates, API-first integration (see API-First Payments: The Future for PSPs in Colombia) is becoming a new standard for PSPs.
Key Features to Demand in a Batch Payment Platform
Today, 65% of Colombian fintechs now offer or plan to offer batch payments as a core feature (Fintech Colombia Association, 2024). What separates the best platforms from the rest? Here’s what to look for:
Instant settlement and real-time tracking: No more waiting days for payments to clear.
Compliance tools built-in: Automated KYC/AML, audit trails, and transaction monitoring are critical for compliance.
API integration and developer support: Smooth onboarding and operations—see documentation.
Multi-currency and stablecoin support: Handle fintech batch payments across COP, USD, EUR, and digital assets.
Automated reconciliation: Match payments to invoices and records with ease.
Avoid providers with unclear fees or manual batch processing, as these can create more problems than they solve. Choosing a platform with these capabilities positions your business for success in Colombia’s digital payment sector.
The Future of Batch Payments in Colombia: Trends and What’s Next
Stablecoin usage for B2B payments in Colombia has tripled since 2022 (Chainalysis, 2023), signaling a move toward faster, lower-cost cross-border settlements. The Financial Superintendence of Colombia (SFC) continues to expand its regulatory sandbox, supporting fintech innovation and new payment solutions.
New SFC guidelines for digital assets and batch payment platforms are expected in 2024, reflecting how regulation is catching up with industry advances. Peso volatility is also driving more PSPs and exporters to settle using stablecoins.
Stay ahead by watching for the rapid adoption of digital assets, real-time payment rails, and ongoing compliance changes. Learn more about stablecoin adoption in Colombia.
Getting Started With Batch Payments: Your Next Steps
Batch payments have become an operational necessity for Colombian PSPs seeking to reduce costs, automate reconciliation, and meet regulatory requirements. As the sector standardizes around these capabilities, choosing the right platform makes a difference.
To see how Mural Pay can help you manage batch payments in Colombia—with instant settlement, compliance support, and full API integration—visit our homepage and get started today. Request a demo or contact Mural Pay’s expert team for tailored advice.
References
BNAmericas. (2024). Interview with Catalina Gutiérrez, Fintech Colombia Association. https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news
Chainalysis. (2023). Crypto Adoption and Stablecoin Trends in LATAM. https://www.chainalysis.com/reports
Fintech Colombia Association. (2024). Annual Industry Report. https://www.colombiafintech.co/
Rapyd Insights. (2024). Batch Payments in Latin America. https://www.rapyd.net/resources/insights/
Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia. (2024). Regulatory Sandbox Initiatives. https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co/
Banco de la República. (2024). Foreign Exchange Reporting Requirements. https://www.banrep.gov.co/en/payment-systems
