SWIFT Message Types — MT103, MT202, pacs.008, pacs.009 | Ohmyfin
Last reviewed: · Curated by Ohmyfin Organisation editorial.
Cross-border payments rely on a small set of message types. These guides explain when each one is used, how they differ, and how to track them on Ohmyfin.
A–Z index — 7 entries
Frequently asked questions
What is an MT103?
MT103 is the SWIFT message type used for single customer credit transfers — the standard format for international wire transfers between banks. It carries the sender and beneficiary details, amount, value date, and UETR tracking reference.
What is the difference between MT103 and pacs.008?
MT103 is the legacy SWIFT FIN message format; pacs.008 (FI to FI Customer Credit Transfer) is the modern ISO 20022 XML equivalent. Both carry the same payment data but pacs.008 supports richer structured data and is mandatory under SWIFT's ISO 20022 migration from November 2025.
What is an MT202?
MT202 is the SWIFT message type for financial institution (bank-to-bank) cover payments. It is used alongside MT103 when a correspondent bank needs to move funds between its own accounts to cover a customer payment routed through it.
What is a camt.053 message?
camt.053 (Bank to Customer Statement) is the ISO 20022 XML message that replaces the legacy MT940 bank statement format. It provides end-of-day account statements with structured transaction details including IBAN, BIC, and reference numbers.