In a globalized world, international payments are at the heart of the activities of European SMEs. These companies, which account for 99% of companies in the EU and contribute 58% of GDP according to the European Commission, play a key role in international trade. But between exorbitant fees, currency volatility, and pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, the challenges are many. How can you optimize your foreign currency transfers while aligning your operations with sustainability objectives? That's where Keewe comes in, a platform that revolutionizes international payment methods with transparency and ecological responsibility. Let's find out how.
High costs squeeze margins
European SMEs involved in international trade face significant costs when making international payments. According to a report by the European Commission (2020), bank charges for an international SEPA or swift transfer can reach 2 to 4% per transaction. For a €10,000 invoice, this represents €200 to €400 in fees, a heavy burden for an SME with tight margins. These costs often include fixed charges (e.g. €3 per non-SEPA transaction) and exchange rate margins, making the international trade payment method via traditional banks particularly expensive.
Currency volatility: a major risk
Currency volatility is another major challenge. In 2025, the euro approached parity with the dollar (low around 1.0180 USD/EUR) in the first quarter, directly impacting SMEs exporting or importing. Forex (the foreign exchange market) is unpredictable: 60% of European SMEs suffer financial losses due to exchange rate fluctuations, according to theECB SAFE Survey (2020). Without tools such as a forward, futures or forward contract to lock in rates, these companies remain vulnerable.
Slowness and lack of transparency
- Processing times: According to SWIFT (2022), an international swift transfer takes an average of 2 to 5 days, disrupting the cash flow of SMEs.
- Lack of transparency : 70% of customers are dissatisfied with the opacity of bank charges, according to a Which study (2023). Margins on exchange rates, often hidden, add 2-5% to costs, making international payment methods unpredictable.
Carbon challenges: a growing challenge for SMEs
Every international payment has an environmental cost. According to the Carbon Trust (2019), a foreign currency transfer emits around 20-50g of CO2 per transaction, due to the energy consumed by banking systems. For an SME carrying out thousands of transactions a year, this adds up to an average carbon footprint of 15 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Carbon Trust, 2023). These emissions, though small individually, accumulate and contribute to the company's overall carbon footprint, a crucial issue in the face of customer and regulator expectations.
Difficulties in measuring and managing environmental impact
- Lack of tools : Only 15% of European SMEs have a green finance strategy, according to the European Investment Bank (2021), making it difficult to measure their carbon footprint.
- Regulatory pressures: The CSRD 2025 directive requires detailed carbon footprint reporting, but 30% of SMEs cite regulatory complexity as a hindrance (Carbone 4, 2024).
- Limited progress: Although 44% of French SMEs have adopted measures to reduce their carbon footprint by 2020 (French Ministry of the Economy), many lack the resources to go further.
An urgent need for sustainable solutions
SMEs must not only reduce their emissions, but also demonstrate their commitment to the environment. Carbon contributions (formerly known as "carbon offsetting") are an option, but they require accessible tools to be effective. Without proactive management, SMEs risk losing out on market opportunities, particularly with sustainability-conscious customers.
Optimize your international payments with Keewe
Keewe offers an alternative to traditional international payment methods , directly addressing the financial challenges of SMEs. Here's how:
1. No-fee transfers : Unlike banks that charge 2-4% per transaction, Keewe offers international SEPA and non-SEPA transfers with no fixed charges, reducing your costs from the very first payment.
2. Best FX rates: Keewe offers competitive rates on Forex, protecting you against volatility. This can save you up to 3% per transaction compared with banks.
3. Digital, fast and accessible : The platform is intuitive, accessible to all SMEs, and processes your foreign currency transfers in 24 to 48 hours, compared with 2 to 5 days for an international swift transfer.
4. Human support : A dedicated team is on hand to help you manage your payments, even without Forex expertise.
5. Total transparency: With Keewe, charges and rates are clearly displayed, eliminating surprises and boosting confidence in your international trade payments.
Align your payments with your sustainability objectives
Keewe goes beyond financial efficiency by integrating sustainability into your international payments, thanks to its Green FX service :
- Carbon footprint measurement : Green FX calculates the carbon footprint of each transaction, giving you a better understanding of the carbon emissions associated with your international payments.
- Financing impact projects : Part of Keewe's revenue is redirected to ecological projects, such as reforestation or renewable energies, contributing to carbon offsetting.
- Impact certificates : Keewe provides certificates proving your sustainability efforts, an asset for strengthening your image with your customers and meeting the requirements of CSRD 2025.
Why choose Keewe?
By combining financial performance and ecological responsibility, Keewe transforms international payments into a strategic lever for SMEs. You reduce costs, increase speed and align your operations with environmental expectations.
European SMEs face major challenges in their international payments: high costs (2-4%), currency volatility (60% suffer losses), lead times of 2-5 days, and a carbon footprint that's difficult to manage.
Added to this are the pressures of CSRD regulations and the need for transparency in international payment methods.
Keewe offers a complete solution: free foreign currency transfers , competitive Forex rates, a fast (24-48h) digital platform, human support and total transparency. With Green FX, you can measure and reduce the carbon footprint of your payments, finance impact projects(carbon contribution, etc.), and obtain impact certificates to enhance the value of your efforts.
Don't let FX fees and carbon challenges hold you back. Join the small and medium-sized businesses that are optimizing their international payments while acting for the planet with Keewe! What are your biggest international payments challenges? Share them in comments - together, let's build a greener, more transparent trade.