CAMT bank files: what are they and what are they for?
Introduction
You receive files with names like camt.053 or camt.054 from your bank and wonder what they are? You're not alone. Over the past few years, Swiss banks have gradually abandoned old bank statement formats in favour of the international ISO 20022 standard.
In practical terms, CAMT files are standardised electronic account statements. They contain all the information about your bank transactions in a structured format that accounting software can read automatically. Gone are the days when you had to manually enter each payment received or issued.
For entrepreneurs and freelancers, this evolution is a game-changer. Instead of spending hours reconciling your invoices with your bank statements, you can now import a file and let your software do the work. But you still need to understand how it works.
In this article, we'll demystify CAMT files: what they contain, why Switzerland adopted them, how to obtain them from your bank and, most importantly, how to use them in practice in your day-to-day management. No unnecessary technical jargon, just what you need to know to save time.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
CAMT files are electronic bank statements in ISO 20022 format, now standard in Switzerland. They enable you to automate reconciliation between your invoices and payments received, import your transactions directly into your accounting and track your cash flow in real time.
You can download these files from your Swiss bank's e-banking and import them into your management software such as BePaid to automatically reconcile your payments.
📚 Table of contents
What is a CAMT file?
A CAMT file (Cash Management) is a standardised electronic bank statement format. The acronym comes from "Cash Management" and refers to a family of XML formats created as part of the ISO 20022 standard.
This international standard aims to harmonise the exchange of financial information between banks and businesses. In Switzerland, CAMT files are gradually replacing old proprietary formats such as MT940.
In practical terms, a CAMT file contains your bank transactions in a structured format that can be read by accounting software. It's an XML file that you download from your e-banking and import into your management tool.
The different types of CAMT files
There are several variants of CAMT files, each with a specific function:
CAMT.053: the complete account statement with all transactions for a given period
CAMT.054: individual debit and credit advices, sent in real time or daily
CAMT.052: interim balances and account reports
In Switzerland, the CAMT.054 format is particularly widely used as it contains the structured references of QR-invoices, thus facilitating automatic reconciliation. Most Swiss banks offer at least the CAMT.053 and CAMT.054 formats.
Why Switzerland adopted the CAMT format
Switzerland has gradually adopted the ISO 20022 standard as part of the modernisation of its financial infrastructure. This transition is part of an international movement to harmonise payments.
Old formats such as MT940 were limited in terms of structure and information transmitted. The CAMT format offers more detail and better standardisation, which facilitates automation.
This adoption coincides with the introduction of QR-invoices in 2020. CAMT files enable the transmission of structured references from QR-invoices, making automatic bank reconciliation possible. Swiss banks have been encouraged to offer these formats to their business customers.
What are CAMT files actually used for?
For businesses and freelancers, CAMT files considerably simplify day-to-day payment management.
Instead of manually entering each transaction from your e-banking, you simply import a file into your invoicing or accounting software. All your transactions are then recorded automatically.
The time saving is considerable: what used to take 30 minutes of manual entry now takes just a few seconds. More importantly, you eliminate data entry errors and omissions that can distort your cash flow tracking.
CAMT files also enable automated reconciliation between your issued invoices and payments received, thanks to structured references.
Automatic bank reconciliation
Automatic bank reconciliation is one of the most useful features enabled by CAMT files. Your software automatically compares payments received with your outstanding invoices.
Thanks to the structured references contained in QR-invoices and transmitted via the CAMT file, matching is done without manual intervention. Your software identifies which invoice has been paid and updates its status.
Automatic reminders stop immediately for settled invoices. You maintain a clear view of who still owes you money. This automation is particularly valuable when you're managing dozens of invoices per month.
Real-time cash flow tracking
By regularly importing your CAMT files, you have an up-to-date view of your cash flow. No more juggling between your e-banking and your invoicing software.
You know exactly how much money has come into your account and can anticipate your liquidity needs. This visibility is essential for making informed decisions about your expenses and investments.
Automatic import also eliminates the risk of omissions: every transaction is recorded, even if you're busy or travelling. Your accounting stays up to date without any extra effort on your part.
How to obtain your CAMT files from your bank
Most Swiss banks offer the download of CAMT files directly from their e-banking platform. Look for a "Statements" or "Exports" section in your interface.
You can generally choose the format (CAMT.053 or CAMT.054), the period concerned and the account to export. Files are available daily, often from the day after the transaction.
This service is free at most Swiss banks. If you can't find the option, contact your bank adviser: they will activate the functionality on your business account. Some banks require prior activation for security reasons.
How to use CAMT files in your accounting
Using a CAMT file in your accounting or invoicing software is simple. Start by downloading the XML file from your e-banking.
In your software, look for the "Import" or "Bank reconciliation" function. Select the downloaded CAMT file and start the import. The software automatically analyses the transactions.
Then check that the transactions have been correctly imported and that reconciliation with your invoices has been carried out properly. Most Swiss invoicing software, including BePaid, natively supports the CAMT format and performs matching automatically.
This compatibility with accounting import considerably simplifies your day-to-day administrative management.
Importing a CAMT file into BePaid
In BePaid, importing your CAMT files is done in just a few clicks. Go to the "Bank reconciliation" section of your dashboard.
Click on "Import a bank statement" and select your CAMT file (XML format). BePaid automatically processes the transactions and reconciles them with your outstanding invoices using QR references.
Paid invoices automatically change to "Paid" status and scheduled reminders are cancelled. You immediately see which invoices remain unpaid. This automation saves you valuable time and eliminates manual tracking errors.
CAMT vs old formats: what changes for you
If you previously used the MT940 format or other proprietary formats, the transition to CAMT brings several practical improvements.
The CAMT format contains more structured information: full debtor name, complete payment references, standardised codes. This wealth of information facilitates automatic reconciliation and reduces ambiguities.
International standardisation also guarantees better compatibility between software. Don't worry if your bank is in transition: both formats can coexist temporarily, and Swiss banks support their business customers through this change.
Frequently asked questions about CAMT files
Does my current software support CAMT?
Most Swiss accounting and invoicing software now supports the CAMT format. Check the documentation or contact your tool's support.
Are CAMT files secure?
Yes, they are downloaded via your secure e-banking. The file itself does not contain information enabling payments to be made, only transaction history.
What should I do if the import doesn't work?
Check that you've downloaded the correct format (CAMT.053 or CAMT.054) and that the file is not corrupted. Contact your software's support if the problem persists.
Do I have to pay to obtain CAMT files?
No, this service is generally free at Swiss banks for business accounts.
CAMT files now represent the Swiss banking standard. This standardised ISO 20022 format simplifies reconciliation between your bank statements and your invoicing, whilst ensuring accurate tracking of your cash flow.
The key takeaway: CAMT files replace the old MT940 and V11 formats, they are available free of charge from your bank, and their XML structure enables complete automation of your bank reconciliation. No more manually entering each payment received.
With BePaid, importing your CAMT files is done in just a few clicks. The platform automatically identifies payments matching your invoices and updates their status. You save time on administrative management and maintain a clear view of your receipts.
Test automatic bank reconciliation for free with your first CAMT file. Create your BePaid account and import your bank statements in less than 5 minutes.
