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Beyond migration: turning IPLA’s and SIL’s retirement into a strategic advantage

Written by Eastnets | Dec 24, 2025 9:15:38 AM

The clock is ticking for banks still relying on Swift’s Integration Platform for Alliance (IPLA) and Swift Integration Layer (SIL). With both reaching end-of-support by end June 2026, institutions have less time than they think to migrate their custom Swift message processing away from SWIFT Alliance Access.

But this isn’t just another software sunset. For forward-looking banks, the retirement of IPLA and SIL represents a strategic opportunity; a chance to replace legacy and modernise critical infrastructure, with a strategic light orchestrator to build the foundations for a smarter, more flexible financial transaction operations.

This Swift migration is not simply a challenge to be managed, but more as a moment to rethink how to integrate and operate in a fast moving and complex technological landscape.

Why IPLA’s and SIL’s retirement matters

For years, IPLA and SIL has acted as that vital bridge between internal systems and the Swift messaging interface coping with workflow customisations, proprietary formats mappings, notification management and protocol integrations, that were otherwise impossible. But as the SWIFT integration strategy evolves towards lighter API based footprint, these critical customisations require more than ever a scalable, resilient and proven platform that offers the required flexibility and agility while containing costs.

Institutions that delay migration risk not only the lack of support but more critically business disruptions. Migrating early also showcases how banks are stepping confidently into the future of transaction banking. A future shaped by transaction processing resiliency, efficiency and ISO 20022-ready compliance

From technical task to strategic transformation

Too often, though, migration is treated as a purely technical task. The reality is far more strategic. This moment offers banks the chance to rethink how their systems, compliance processes and data strategies work together. When approached with purpose, migration can streamline operations, elevate efficiency and strengthen regulatory resilience – all while positioning institutions to thrive in a complex landscape.

Eastnets PaymentSafe is designed to allow banks approaching the IPLA and SIL migrations with a light unified transaction processing orchestration layer, that can:

  • Accelerate the integration of new transaction channels, payment rails and 3rd party services or geographies quickly, through a set of standard connectors   
  • Reduce friction by selecting the optimal paths based on costs, geography, risk or availability 
  • Enhance interoperability and transparency across systems and regions
  • Reduce cost and complexity with a unified platform that cuts-down multiple custom integrations, reduces vendor lock-ins, lowers operational overheads and simplifies the architecture 
  • Enhance resilience and availability with flexible failover capabilities implementing fallback scenarios and alternative routings dynamically, without human intervention
  • Gain better visibility into routing, performance, costs and outcomes based on data-driven optimisations and centralised transaction flows. 
  • Get a competitive edge with faster delivery, more reliable transactions, modern rails support and new payment methods

How Eastnets allows for a seamless transition

At Eastnets, our mission is to make modernisation effortless, preserving continuity while accelerating transformation. We combine proven frameworks with expert guidance and adaptable technology to help banks migrate confidently and strategically.

Our approach focuses on four key principles that allows a full control of any transformation:

  • Ease the integration into existing hybrid environments

Eastnets PaymentSafe ensures seamless integration with existing environments, with both legacy and modern platforms guaranteeing business continuity.

  • Faster time-to-market of new flows 

Eastnets’ PaymentSafe allows you to control every step of the design, test and deployment of new workflows, in a few weeks.  

  • Lower operational and maintenance costs 

Eastnets’ PaymentSafe offers operational monitoring tools and alerting capabilities for smooth operations, and allow quick workflows fixes and upgrades on the fly. 

  • Future-proofed modular architecture 

PaymentSafe offers a set of granular modules that can be combined to achieve any kind of transaction processing, from mapping into standards like ISO 20022 to screen transactions. It enriches with reference information, auto generates alerts or route to any application or channel. 

Readiness Is innovative

The June 2026 deadline isn’t just a technical Swift migration; it’s a marker of innovation. Institutions that act early won’t just avoid disruption; they’ll position themselves as leaders in the new, efficient financial transaction era.

With Eastnets as a partner, banks can turn migration into a launchpad for sustainable transformation, ensuring continuity today while building the agility to adapt to tomorrow’s challenges.

In the race toward modernisation, the winners will be those that view IPLA’s and SIL deadlines not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to adopt proven and flexible tools. As the digital financial ecosystem continues to evolve – becoming faster, smarter and more complex – the ability to adapt will define long-term success. 

Contact Eastnets experts to explore how we can support your migration.