Solving CAMT.053 import problems
Having trouble importing CAMT.053 files into your accounting software? StatementBridge converts ISO 20022 XML to the format you need.
What is CAMT.053?
CAMT.053 (Cash Management — Bank to Customer Statement) is part of the ISO 20022 messaging standard. It is an XML-based format for bank statements that can contain far more detail than the older MT940 format.
CAMT.053 contains information about the account holder, balances, individual transactions with detailed party information, and structured references. Dutch banks are gradually transitioning from MT940 to CAMT.053.
Common import problems
- Software does not recognize the format: Older versions of accounting packages do not support CAMT.053.
- Version conflicts: There are several CAMT.053 versions (camt.053.001.02 through .08). Not every software supports all versions.
- Namespace errors: The XML namespace differs per bank implementation, causing parsing errors.
- Missing fields: Some banks do not fill in optional fields that the software expects.
- Character encoding: Special characters (umlauts, accents) can cause errors during import.
How does StatementBridge solve this?
StatementBridge reads CAMT.053 files from any bank and any version. The tool normalizes the data and can then export it to any other format:
CAMT.053 to MT940
For software that still expects MT940. All transaction details are correctly transferred.
CAMT.053 to CSV / Excel
Export to a spreadsheet for custom processing or analysis.
CAMT.053 version conversion
Convert between different CAMT.053 versions for maximum compatibility.
CAMT.053 to OFX / CODA
Convert to other international bank statement formats.
Migrating from MT940 to CAMT.053
The Dutch and European banking sector is gradually transitioning from the older MT940 format to CAMT.053 (ISO 20022). This is part of the SEPA harmonisation driven by the European Central Bank. For businesses, this means accounting software must be updated to support CAMT.053.
If your software does not yet support CAMT.053, there are three options:
- Update your software: Check with your software vendor whether an update with CAMT.053 support is available.
- Convert with StatementBridge: Upload the CAMT.053 file and convert it to MT940, CSV, or Excel — the format your software does accept.
- Switch software: Consider an accounting package that natively supports CAMT.053, such as recent versions of Exact Online, Twinfield, or AFAS.
CAMT.053 version comparison
Multiple versions of the CAMT.053 standard exist. The version determines the XML namespace and available fields:
| Version | Namespace | Status |
|---|---|---|
| camt.053.001.02 | urn:iso:std:iso:20022:tech:xsd:camt.053.001.02 | Older version, still widely supported |
| camt.053.001.06 | urn:iso:std:iso:20022:tech:xsd:camt.053.001.06 | Most commonly used by Dutch banks |
| camt.053.001.08 | urn:iso:std:iso:20022:tech:xsd:camt.053.001.08 | Latest version, increasingly offered |
StatementBridge reads all CAMT.053 versions automatically and can export to a consistent structure, regardless of which version your bank delivers.
Which banks provide CAMT.053?
Most Dutch and European banks offer CAMT.053, including: ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, SNS Bank, ASN Bank, Triodos Bank, KBC, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank.
Frequently asked questions about CAMT.053
What is the difference between CAMT.053 and MT940?
MT940 is the older SWIFT plain-text standard. CAMT.053 is the newer ISO 20022 XML standard that can contain more detailed information, such as structured references and extended party information.
My software gives an error when importing CAMT.053. What can I do?
This is often caused by a version or namespace mismatch. Upload the CAMT.053 file in StatementBridge and convert it to the format your software does accept (MT940, CSV or Excel).
Are Dutch banks switching from MT940 to CAMT.053?
Yes. Most Dutch banks offer both formats but are encouraging the transition to CAMT.053. Eventually MT940 will be phased out as part of the ISO 20022 migration.