Preparing for the RTR
In 2027, Interac e-Transfer® payments will begin to clear and settle on the RTR. To support this transition, it will migrate from legacy message formats to ISO 20022, the latest global payment messaging standard, throughout 2026 and 2027. As a result, the current connection to Interac e-Transfer (which relies on these legacy formats) will be sunset.
To prepare for the RTR, your institution will need to complete a series of readiness activities and system upgrades. This work is essential. Interac e-Transfer is a cornerstone of Canadian payments and one of the fastest growing transaction types. It plays a direct role in driving account primacy, deposit growth and digital engagement. Maintaining it will be critical to staying competitive in the market.
How Central 1 is supporting clients
As a payments provider, Central 1 has been preparing for the RTR for several years, recognizing its role in shaping the future of Canada’s payments. We are helping our clients transition to the Real-Time Rail through these core capabilities:
Operational and technical foundations
Central 1 is progressing toward key milestones, including Interac version 3.7, supported by established fraud controls, AML capabilities, and future-ready APIs.
Direct connectivity and simplified integration
As a Direct Service Provider, Central 1 will connect to the RTR Exchange through Interac, enabling institutions to participate in the RTR without managing complex integrations.
Settlement agency expertise
Central 1 acts as a settlement agent under an unrestricted agreement, bringing proven liquidity management and settlement expertise to support your continuity and resilience.
Banking host connectivity
Central 1 enables direct API connectivity to banking hosts, which is critical for real-time data-rich payments, and continues to invest in making these integrations more flexible, efficient and scalable.
Industry & Central 1 launch timelines
Central 1 is prepared to support coordinated and accelerated adoption.
The RTR is expected to launch in waves beginning in Q4 2026. Central 1 will go live in Release 1, Wave 2, alongside two of Canada’s Big 5 banks. This places Central 1 in the first group of financial institutions to enable real-time settlement of eligible Interac e-Transfer transactions over the RTR.
Real-time payments use cases
Real-time payments capabilities support significant new use cases that enhance customer experience and enable business growth.
RTR explained
Learn what the RTR means for your customers and how we can help your organization prepare.
ISO 20022 explained
Understand what ISO 20022 is and why it is becoming the foundation of modern payment systems.
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You have access to lots of resources (playbook) to support your RTR journey.
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