International Cash Clearing: Built on Precision, Driven by People
Carlos Montero Barcia (Senior Relationship Manager in Belgium) and Nikola Kochmanov (Senior Relationship Manager in the Czech Republic) discuss what truly sets KBC’s ICC apart.
ICC is often described as a highly technical discipline, but at KBC it is equally about trust, proximity, and precision. In a market where reliability makes all the difference, ICC combines operational excellence with strong personal relationships.
How would you explain ICC in simple terms?
Carlos Montero Barcia: “ICC is essentially the link between smaller or mid-sized banks and the global financial system. A Tier 2 or Tier 3 bank cannot maintain correspondent relationships with every major bank worldwide. KBC can. We give them access to international clearing networks, local payment systems, and global banks, ensuring their payments are processed securely, efficiently, and in full compliance.”
Nikola Kochmanov: “We act as a single provider for SEPA and non-SEPA payments, while also giving clients access to European clearing houses, global networks, and local market expertise. Beyond processing, we guide them through regulatory changes and operational challenges. We make cross-border cash clearing simple.”
“The feedback we hear most often is simple: ‘You’re reachable.'"
Carlos Montero Barcia, Senior Relationship Manager, ICC
What concrete advantages do clients gain from working with ICC?
Nikola Kochmanov: “We offer competitive pricing, deep product knowledge, and tailored tools for better cash management. But what really stands out is our dedicated personal support. Clients have a single point of contact: someone who knows their business and responds quickly. That clarity is invaluable. On top of that, we have an exceptional straight-through processing rate of around 99%. That speaks for itself.”
How does your cross-border collaboration work?
Nikola Kochmanov: “We’re about 1,000 kilometers apart, but we work closely as a team. We have the same role and complementary portfolios based on geography and language. We speak almost daily, meet regularly with the wider ICC team, and travel together for client meetings or industry events. Over time, we’ve grown into a truly international team that supports clients across the globe.”
What makes KBC’s approach different from other clearing providers?
Carlos Montero Barcia: “The feedback we hear most often is simple: ‘You’re reachable.’ That may sound obvious, but it isn’t. When something urgent happens, like a suspicious payment or an operational error, clients want to speak to a real person. We know our clients, we understand their markets, and we literally speak their language. Our team covers regions from Spain to the Nordics and the Balkans, and we offer a broad service portfolio in more than 23 currencies.”
How does that personal service translate into day-to-day operations?
Carlos Montero Barcia: “To give an example, we recently had to stop a fraudulent transaction. In situations like that, every minute counts. Being able to tell a client, ‘It’s under control. We’re handling it,’ providesreal peace of mind.”
Nikola Kochmanov: “Every day is different. One day you’re solving a complex issue, the next you’re onboarding a new client. My approach is always to listen first, simplify complexity, and stay accessible. Clients appreciate clarity, consistency, and partners who genuinely listen.”
ICC is known for operational excellence. How is that achieved internally?
Carlos Montero Barcia: “Collaboration is key. Our shared services teams screen millions of transactions every year. That compliance capacity is one of ICC’s underestimated strengths, since smaller banks gain access to an infrastructure they could never build themselves. As a result, 99% of transactions run smoothly.”
Nikola Kochmanov: “This combination of operational excellence, personal support, and long-term partnerships is also reflected in our NPS of 52. We’re performing at an exceptionally high level. This confirms that our client-centric approach works.”
“Carlos and I are about 1,000 kilometers apart, but we work closely as a team.”
Nikola Kochmanov, Senior Relationship Manager, ICC