SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a member-owned cooperative and a global provider of secure financial messaging services. It provides services to more than 9,000 banking organizations, securities institutions and corporate customers in 209 countries. The company was established in 1973 supported by 239 banks in 15 countries. Its customers include corporate, investment managers, banks, brokers/dealers, custodians, banking market and securities market infrastructures. SWIFT enables its customers to automate and standardize financial transactions, thereby lowering costs, reducing operational risk and eliminating inefficiencies from their operations. Its business solutions include trade services, payments, cash management, and custody and asset servicing.