FAQ
Do you store my banking data?
No. Processing is ephemeral and we keep no IBAN/BIC nor imports.
Is my file accepted by my bank?
Yes. Every SEPA credit transfer (pain.001) and direct debit (pain.008) export is validated against the official XSD schema and common bank rules, so your payment batches are accepted before they reach the bank.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, via Stripe’s customer portal.
How do I import data?
Upload CSV/Excel or paste directly from Excel/Sheets. A mapping assistant guides you.
Do you support CSV or Excel files?
Yes. Upload or paste CSV/XLS/XLSX exports and use the mapping assistant to align columns. You can also save your mapping for recurring imports.
What does XSD mean?
XSD stands for XML Schema Definition. It is the official specification banks use to validate SEPA credit transfer and direct debit files. ISO20022generator checks each file against these schemas before you download it.
Which currencies are supported?
SEPA batches run in EUR. The COPS module handles CFP Franc (XPF) for the Pacific. The multi-currency module also covers USD, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD and SGD with SHA/BEN/OUR fees.
What is the COPS payment system?
COPS (Compensation des Opérations du Pacifique Sud) is the interbank clearing system used in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis & Futuna. It uses the same ISO 20022 format (pain.001/pain.008) as SEPA but with CFP Franc (XPF) as the currency. ISO20022generator produces compliant COPS files directly in the browser.
COPS vs SEPA: what are the differences?
The XML format is identical (pain.001 for transfers, pain.008 for direct debits). The main differences are the currency (XPF instead of EUR, no decimals), the NURG service level code instead of SEPA, and the geographic scope limited to French Pacific territories.
What is the difference between MT103 and international pain.001?
MT103 is the legacy SWIFT format for single international credit transfers. The ISO 20022 pain.001 is its modern successor, being progressively mandated by SWIFT (migration completed November 2025). ISO20022generator generates both formats: pain.001 for banks that have migrated to ISO 20022, and MT103 for correspondent banks still using the legacy format.
How do I create a compliant SEPA XML file?
Import your data from a CSV file, Excel spreadsheet, or by copy-paste, fill in the originator details (name, IBAN, BIC), then click Generate. ISO20022generator produces a pain.001 or pain.008 file validated against the official XSD schemas, ready to submit to your bank without manual editing.
What is the difference between pain.001 and pain.002?
pain.001 (CustomerCreditTransferInitiation) is the payment initiation message sent by the company to its bank. pain.002 (CustomerPaymentStatusReport) is the status report returned by the bank to confirm or reject the batch. ISO20022generator creates pain.001 and pain.008 messages; your bank generates the pain.002 response.
How can I validate a SEPA XML file before sending it to the bank?
Use the built-in ISO 20022 validator: upload or paste your XML file and the tool checks the XSD structure, IBANs, BICs, and common business rules. Errors are listed line by line for quick correction, helping you avoid costly bank rejections.
What is the XML format of a SEPA Direct Debit (SDD)?
A SEPA Direct Debit uses the pain.008 message (CustomerDirectDebitInitiation) in ISO 20022 XML format. It includes creditor information, the ICS identifier, mandate references (RUM), sequence types (FRST, RCUR, OOFF, FNAL), and the amounts to collect. ISO20022generator structures all of these elements automatically.
What is the SWIFT ISO 20022 migration?
SWIFT completed its migration to the ISO 20022 messaging standard in November 2025. Legacy MT formats (MT103, MT202, etc.) are being progressively replaced by XML-based MX messages. This transition brings richer, more structured data that simplifies automation, regulatory compliance, and straight-through processing.
Can you show me a pain.001 XML example?
Yes. The Resources section of the site offers a downloadable sample pain.001 file containing a SEPA credit transfer with validated IBAN and BIC fields. You can also generate your own file in demo mode (two free lines) to test compatibility with your bank.
How does IBAN and BIC validation work in the tool?
Each IBAN is checked according to the ISO 13616 standard (length, check digits, country prefix). BIC codes are validated against the SWIFT format (8 or 11 characters). Errors are highlighted in red in the data grid and in the validation report before the XML file is generated.
Can I process batch payments or direct debit collections?
Yes. Import a CSV or Excel file containing hundreds of rows, or paste them from your spreadsheet. ISO20022generator groups all transactions into a single pain.001 or pain.008 file with a compliant batch header, including the total transaction count and control sum.
What is PSD2 and how does it affect SEPA files?
PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2) strengthens payment security across Europe by mandating strong customer authentication and opening bank data access through APIs. SEPA XML files (pain.001 and pain.008) remain the standard exchange format with banks; PSD2 primarily affects transmission channels rather than the file format itself.
What is the difference between SDD Core and SDD B2B?
SDD Core targets consumer debtors and provides an eight-week refund right after the debit date. SDD B2B is designed for business-to-business transactions with no refund right once executed. Both use the pain.008 format but differ in mandate type, presentation deadlines, and return rules.
What do SHA, BEN, and OUR charges mean in an international transfer?
SHA (Shared) splits fees between the sender and the beneficiary — it is the default in SEPA transfers. BEN (Beneficiary) charges all fees to the recipient. OUR means the sender covers all fees, including those of intermediary banks. ISO20022generator lets you choose the charge option for each international wire.
Is the tool GDPR compliant?
Yes. No imported banking data is stored on our servers: processing happens in memory and the file is deleted as soon as it is downloaded. Only the originator profiles you explicitly save are retained. The service is hosted on Vercel with TLS encryption and fully complies with the GDPR.
Can I use ISO20022generator for payments outside the SEPA zone?
Yes. The international module generates multi-currency pain.001 files supporting over 30 currencies (USD, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, SGD, and more) with SHA/BEN/OUR fee handling. For banks that have not yet migrated to ISO 20022, the SWIFT MT103 generator is also available.
What is an ICS and why is it required for direct debits?
The ICS (SEPA Creditor Identifier) is a unique code assigned to each creditor authorised to issue SEPA direct debits. It is mandatory in every pain.008 file and lets the debtor's bank identify the originator of the collection. ISO20022generator attaches it automatically to the selected originator profile.
How do I import an existing XML file to edit it?
Open the ISO 20022 validator, upload or paste your XML file, then click Edit in module. The data loads into the matching editor (SEPA transfer, direct debit, or multi-currency) where you can fix errors highlighted in red, add or remove rows, and re-generate the corrected file.
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