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Swift Verbiage

🏦 SWIFT Message Verbiage Overview

Understanding MT-700, MT-103, MT-199, MT-760, and MT-799 Messages

SWIFT verbiage refers to the standardized format and terminology used in international financial messaging via the SWIFT network. Each message type (MT) carries specific instructions for trade finance, payments, or banking instruments. Below is a breakdown of commonly used SWIFT messages and sample formats.

📘 What is SWIFT Verbiage?

SWIFT verbiage includes the official language and formatting used in messages sent over the SWIFT network. Each message type (e.g., MT-700 for Letters of Credit, MT-103 for wire transfers) uses:

  • Field tags like :32A:, :50K:, :79:

  • Standard banking phrases

  • Fixed-format structures for legal and operational clarity

📄 MT-700 – Issuance of a Documentary Letter of Credit

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:27: 1 :40A: IRREVOCABLE :20: LC12345678 :31C: 250715 :40E: AVAILABLE WITH ANY BANK BY PAYMENT :50: APPLICANT COMPANY NAME AND ADDRESS :59: BENEFICIARY NAME AND ADDRESS :32B: USD1000000, :41D: ANY BANK IN [COUNTRY] :42C: 60 DAYS FROM BILL OF LADING :44C: LATEST DATE OF SHIPMENT: 250815 :45A: GOODS – 1000 METRIC TONS OF COPPER CATHODES :46A: DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: - SIGNED COMMERCIAL INVOICE - FULL SET OF CLEAN ON BOARD B/L :47A: ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS: - INSURANCE POLICY IN BENEFICIARY’S NAME :71B: ALL BANK CHARGES OUTSIDE ISSUING BANK'S COUNTRY ARE FOR BENEFICIARY’S ACCOUNT

💸 MT-103 – Customer Wire Transfer (Single Credit)

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:20: TRXREF123456 :23B: CRED :32A: 250716USD1000000, :50K: JOHN DOE 123 STREET, NY, USA :59: JANE SMITH 456 AVENUE, LONDON, UK :70: PAYMENT FOR INVOICE 987654 :71A: SHA

📨 MT-199 – General Free-Format Message

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:20: REF199ABC :21: RE LC12345678 :79: PLEASE CONFIRM RECEIPT OF OUR LC MT700 SENT TODAY. CONTACT US FOR ANY CLARIFICATIONS.

📝 Use Case: Confirming receipt of another SWIFT message, free-format communication between banks.

🛡️ MT-760 – Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) / Bank Guarantee

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:20: SBLC123456 :23: ISSUANCE :30: 250716 :40C: IRREVOCABLE :77C: WE HEREBY ISSUE OUR IRREVOCABLE, TRANSFERABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT NO. SBLC123456 IN FAVOR OF [BENEFICIARY NAME] FOR AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING USD 1,000,000 (ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS). THIS SBLC IS AVAILABLE BY PAYMENT AGAINST PRESENTATION OF BENEFICIARY’S WRITTEN DEMAND AND A STATEMENT THAT APPLICANT FAILED TO FULFILL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS. EXPIRY: 250716 AT OUR COUNTER.

🔄 MT-799 – Pre-Advice / Bank-to-Bank Message

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:20: REF799XYZ :79: WE CONFIRM THAT WE ARE READY, WILLING, AND ABLE TO ISSUE A STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT IN FAVOR OF [BENEFICIARY NAME] FOR AN AMOUNT OF USD 1,000,000 UNDER STANDARD ICC FORMAT. THIS IS NOT A COMMITMENT BUT A PRE-ADVICE. PLEASE CONFIRM READINESS OF BENEFICIARY TO RECEIVE.

📝 Use Case: Non-binding confirmation of intent, commonly used before issuing a formal MT-760.

📬 MT-199 – Follow-Up or Confirmation Sample

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:20: FOLLOW-UP199 :79: PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE SWIFT MT-760 HAS BEEN RELEASED TO YOUR INSTITUTION UNDER TRANSACTION REFERENCE SBLC123456. AWAITING YOUR CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT.

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