Payments · Case study · 3 min read
Reviewing payment and distribution costs at a European telecom operator
When an operator runs many payment and distribution channels through many providers, cost is hard to see in one place. Bankhawk mapped the landscape, audited provider fees against contracts and market benchmarks, and built a cost improvement roadmap.
- Who this is for
- CFOs, procurement leads and heads of payments at multi-channel consumer businesses.
- Why it matters
- Decentralised operations and many providers make it difficult to know what payments really cost, and where terms are weaker than the market.
Executive summary
- 1Start by mapping every incoming payment and distribution channel.
- 2Audit fees and commissions against contracts before negotiating.
- 3Use benchmarking and structured supplier engagement to act on findings.
What was the challenge?
The client, the UK and Ireland operations of a major European mobile operator, had multiple distribution and payment channels, many payment service providers and decentralised business operations. There was strong pressure to reduce costs across the business.
How did the review work?
- Engage stakeholders across the business and map incoming payment and distribution channels.
- Audit the fees and commissions charged by payment providers and distributors, and review commercial contracts.
- Identify overcharges and weak commercial terms through market analysis, zero-based costing and benchmarking.
- Agree a cost improvement strategy, including structured RFP processes and direct engagement with suppliers.
What can other finance leaders take from this?
Cost visibility comes before negotiation. A single map of channels, providers and contracts makes it possible to separate billing errors from commercial terms that are simply uncompetitive.
Sources and methodology
- Bankhawk engagement summary (2024). Client details and outcomes subject to confirmation.
Map your payment cost landscape
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