DIAS INTERBANKING SYSTEMS S.A. launched its operations in 1989 and constitutes the national Automated Clearing House. The Company's shareholders are the Bank of Greece, credit institutions and legal entities, whose main object of business activity is means of payment, as follows:
DIAS has developed and is responsible for the operation of DIAS Payment System through which domestic and cross-border interbank payments are cleared and settled. DIAS Payment System includes the following payment schemes: credit transfers, direct debits, card payments, checks, and ATM transactions. Most credit, payment, or electronic money institutions operating in Greece participate in DIAS Payment System. At the same time, its connection to other payment systems operating within the Single European Payments Area (SEPA) provides access to Payment Service Providers within the Euro Area.
DIAS serves as the Greek hub of credit transfers and direct debits. These schemes that are designed in compliance with the specifications set by the second European Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and the Greek Law No 4537/2018, facilitate payments and fund collection procedures. DIAS is overseen directly by the Bank of Greece (BoG) and indirectly by the European Central Bank (ECB). DIAS Payment System also complies with the European Payment Council (EPC) SEPA payment schemes. DIAS offers its services to the Greek Public sector (National Social Security Fund-EFKA, Independent Authority for Public Revenue-IAPR, General Accounting Office, Cadastral Office, municipal water supply and sewerage companies, municipalities, etc.), as well as to the private sector (major electricity and telecommunication companies, insurance companies, companies in the betting industry, etc.).
The Company's Data Center provides a fully-featured, end-to-end solution that any bank or organization can use to access the DIAS Payment System. It is designed on a cutting-edge open architecture method. Hence, it complies with the latest messaging standards and supports multiple communication methods. In the Data Center, suitable and modern infrastructure has been established and solutions of high availability have been adopted, so that the Payment System operates uninterruptedly. In addition, DIAS functional Data Center offers third-party hosting services (Data Center colocation services).
DIAS has significant presence in the field of “account to account” transactions. In this context and in cooperation with Greek commercial banks, it introduced the IRIS Online Payments (for payments via mobile phone/computer) and IRIS e-commerce (for e-shop payments) products.
The Company’s strategy is to develop innovative payment solutions, in cooperation with the financial ecosystem. Its services are addressed to both the public and private sectors in order to contribute to payments modernization and strengthen the national economy.
In 1985, the Hellenic Bank Association formulated a plan to establish the national Interbanking Payment System (DIAS) for the purpose of promoting banking transactions and strengthening interbank competition, through interbank cooperation.
As a result of that initiative, on June 15, 1989, 14 commercial banks founded “DIAS INTERBANKING SYSTEMS S.A.” Over time, more credit institutions acquired a stake in the Company.
The period 1989-2006 was marked by the strategic decision to design the Company's Data Center and payment systems based on central IT systems. During this period, the individual payment systems, many of which were the precursor to current-day DIAS services, were designed and launched. Through these systems, DIAS initially provided services to banks, and in 1997, it began to provide services to the Greek government and other agencies as well.
In 1995, the Bank of Greece also became a shareholder.
Since 2007, the Company has expanded its connection to major agencies abroad and taken part in pan-European initiatives and Organizations. Some of these include the European Association of ACHs (EACHA) and SWIFT connection.
Connecting to equensWorldline.
Since May 2008, DIAS has been connected to the European Central Bank’s TARGET2 system to enable settlement of transactions handled through the Payment System. This system has already been expanded to instant payments, which allows Payment Service Providers to handle transactions in real time.
Connecting to EBA STEP2.
DIAS continues to develop its services and to undertake a number of projects aimed at improving its payment services. These include, for example, the reconstruction of the Data Center.
Connecting to the UnionPay card scheme.
Participation in the CAPS initiative. In doing so, the Company was able to develop its services and broaden their scope to the entire SEPA, as well as internationally to third countries.
Launch of the IRIS payments service. Development of an internet application portal.
Join the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement platform.
Since January 2021, DIAS joined the European group of clearance and settlement systems processing Instant Payments (SEPA Instant Credit Transfer), in accordance with the European Payment Council (EPC) specifications and is prepared to support Payment Service Providers in handling instant payments. Instant payments are electronic payments of small value that guarantee that funds are transfered from the payer to the benefiaciary instantly (within 10''), around the clock on any day (24/7/365).
We use state-of-the-art, proven technologies and methodologies to build our portfolio of service offerings, continually seeking ways to improve on existing practices and ways of thinking and generating out-of-the-box ideas and new approaches.
We are driven by an ongoing desire to understand and respond to the needs of our existing and potential customers by cultivating a friendly and secure financial payment ecosystem.
Mutual respect, professional conduct and compliance with rules and regulations are vitally important for safeguarding our business Purpose and Values.
We enable and support people to work together, realize their potential and achieve results by working as a team.
To strengthen our pivotal role in the sector of electronic interbank payments.
RECYCLING
With a heightened sense of responsibility for protecting the environment and conserving natural resources, DIAS works consistently to reduce its environmental footprint. It is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner through a number of actions, such as recycling of paper, plastic, aluminium, batteries and decommissioning/recycling of outdated computer and mechanical equipment.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
DIAS is an active member of society and supports social actions and initiatives.
Support for the effort to combat COVID-19: To bolster efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the Company decided to donate medical equipment and supplies to the SOTIRIA Athens General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases and the IPPOKRATEIO General Hospital of Thessaloniki.
In April 2020, measures to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic began to be implemented. The emergency allowances the government paid in 2020 to wage earners, scientists and businesses through DIAS services, were provided without charge.
Action Aid: As part of its real support to the multifaceted work of ACTION AID, DIAS decided in October 2008 to take part in the “CHILD SPONSORSHIP” program.
Race for the cure: The Ccompany has been actively involved for a number of years in holding the Race for the Cure, an event aimed at significantly raising public awareness regarding breast cancer.
Hospice for neuro-disability: The Company donates essential items.
Lighthouse for the blind of Greece: Support for materials used in creative activities and socialization for people with vision impairment.
Ark of the world: DIAS supports the work of Ark of the World, a volunteer non-profit group providing care and protection for mothers and children, housing underage children from single-parent families or without parents living in difficult conditions.