Session 465 - ISO 20022 & Addresses: Structured, Unstructured, and Semi-Structured 🧩📬

 ISO 20022 & Addresses: Structured, Unstructured, and Semi-Structured 🧩📬

By the end of 2026, address data must be transmitted in a structured format. But what does this mean in practice? And what role do semi-structured addresses play? 🤔

📌 What does “structured address data” mean?

In structured addresses, information such as street, house number, city, postal code, and ISO country code is entered in separate fields. This clear segmentation improves data quality, enables automated processing, more precise validation, and reduces errors.

🔄 What is a semi-structured address?

A semi-structured address combines elements of unstructured data with some structured fields.

• Example: Street and house number, along with other data, can remain combined in one field, while city and country code are provided separately. 🌍

• Advantage: Offers flexibility during data migration, making it ideal for companies transitioning gradually to fully structured processing.

📅 When will it be available?

Semi-structured addresses will be available starting in November 2025, providing companies with a practical solution.

💡 5 Tips to Prepare:

1️⃣ Understand the requirements:

By end of 2026, address data must be structured for payment transactions. This is mandatory for cross-border payments 🌏 and relevant for 🇪🇺 SEPA payments as well.

2️⃣ Ensure data quality:

Review your master data! Are fields like “City,” “Country,” and other address elements already separated and complete? 🗂️

3️⃣ Keep track of specific rules:

While address data is not recommended for SEPA payments, it may be a mandatory for payments outside the SEPA area 🌍 e.g., to the UK or Switzerland, even if it’s classified as a SEPA payment.

4️⃣ Leverage semi-structured options:

From 2025, semi-structured addresses will provide a smoother entry point. 🛠️ They allow for incremental updates to your systems and processes.

5️⃣ Stay informed:

ISO 20022 standards are continuously evolving. Use updates from organizations like SWIFT or consult your banking partner 💛.

🔍 Conclusion:

The structured processing of addresses is a key component of the ISO 20022 migration. Semi-structured addresses offer a pragmatic transition and help companies optimize their processes efficiently and future-proof their operations.

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