Procedure documentationImporting the Bank Statement

 

Before importing bank statements into the SAP system, you must first retrieve them from the banks. Normally, you receive the statement files using software in accordance with the Banking Communication Standard (BCS), which calls the bank and retrieves the files by data transfer. Banks in almost all countries sell this software for data transfer, and provide training in using it. Data transfer with banks usually occurs on a contractual basis.

Note Note

With SAP Bank Communication Management (BCM) and SAP Integration Package for SWIFT, you have the option of setting up a channel of communication to the banks with SAP software, to be able to put them in direct contact with your bank. SAP BCM and SAP ntegration Package for SWIFT are part of SAP ERP, but a separate license is required for them.

End of the note.

Prerequisites

The import procedure can be started only once the bank statement files are accessible on the file system of the SAP user.

SAP supports many international formats for the electronic bank statement. The SAP system distinguishes two groups of formats when processing the bank statement:

  • Formats that can be further processed by SAP direct, such as SWIFT MT940 and BAI

  • Formats that can be converted using a report to the MulitCash format, in order to then be processed further

Note Note

You can find a list of formats supported by SAP and also the corresponding Conversion Programs in SAP Note 106121Information published on SAP site. For more detailed information on the format you require, see the respective program documentation.

End of the note.

For the SWIFT format, there are dialects that differ from the SWIFT norm that are not supported by SAP. However, SAP does certify the SWIFT MT940 interface (FI-SBS). Certified banks or software providers can supply you with SWIFT MT940 files that can be processed.

Procedure

The import procedure can be started as soon as the bank statement files are accessible on the file system of the SAP user.

  1. Depending on the format, you use either report Import or report Import and Forward (Automatically) to import the bank statement files.

  2. The system can then, depending on the quality of the imported files, automatically assign the payments to the open items, and post them.

    The entries in the note to payee are often decisive for the assignment quota. However, you can optimize the Interpretation of Note to Payee Fields. The following options are available to you to improve the assignment quota: