MT103 / UETR Guidance

Can Odin track my payment when it’s en-route?

If a payment has not yet landed with us, we’re unable to track it from our side without some additional information. We’ll typically need an MT103 or equivalent from your bank that shows the Unique End-to-end Transaction Reference (UETR). Unfortunately, a screenshot from your banking provider or a transaction receipt will not suffice.

What is an MT103?

An MT103 is a standardised payment message that banks use to make international wire transfers through the SWIFT network. It will typically come in a format similar to the example below:

{1:F01GSCRUS30XXXX0087036682}{2:O1031345200224BARCGB20XXXX78945612302002241345N}{3:{108:202241345241SG06}{111:001}{121:ef116b72-18b6-48c1-a6d1-09f44d0d2945}}{4:

:20:GS0DUGH121TSDG0

:23B:CRED

:26T:K90

:32A:250512EUR39,42

:33B:EUR39,42

:50K:/000000041000045

ABC LTD

LONDON

:52A:/GSCRUS33XXX

:53B:/31452632

GSCRUS33XXX

:56A:IRVTUS3NXXX

:57A:BOFAUS3NXXX

:59:/112345679

GSIL

:70:TR-PGTD0N

/ABC

:71A:OUR

:72:/REC/TEST ACCOUNT

-}{5:{CHK:305199LKJH2C}}

The information in the MT103 allows us to see the full details of the transaction, including the transaction amount, date, and account that the funds were sent to, which can help us diagnose possible problems with the transfer (for example, incorrect bank details used). 

The MT103 provides us with useful information to help track the payment. Specifically, we look at the Unique End-to-end Transaction Reference (UETR), a 36-character global tracking number that will allow us to track where the payment is in the SWIFT network. This UETR is typically found after the sequence 121: in an MT103, and is highlighted in the above example.

Note: If your MT103 (or equivalent) does not include the UETR, we will be unable to track the payment.
 

Once Odin has the MT103, can they help speed the payment along?

Unfortunately not. The information from the MT103 (UETR) allows us to see where the payment is at a given time, but until a payment lands with us, our bank is not able to communicate with the sending bank about the payment. 

In rare cases where the funds are ‘stuck’ (for example, have been sitting with an intermediary bank for longer than a few days), the sending bank will need to send a message ‘down the line’ (the SWIFT network) in order to enquire as to why the funds are being held up.