The EBICS standard
EBICS (Electronic Banking Internet Communication Standard) is a standard for secure remote data transmission between a customer and a bank. It meets the current requirements for modern, fast and flexible communication with a high level of security. As an open standard, this procedure is available to all countries.
The German banking industry, representing the interests of the central banking associations, has anchored the EBICS standard in the interface specification for the "Agreement on remote data transmission between customer and bank" (DFÜ agreement).
EBICS was adopted by the German banking industry in 2005, many financial institutions and corporate clients started implementing EBICS voluntarily at the end of 2006 and since 2008 the standard has been mandatory in Germany.
DFÜ agreement
The DFÜ agreement contains the following technical appendices:
- Appendix 1 "Specification for the EBICS connection" describes the procedures that are required for multi-bank capable and secure communication over the Internet between customer and bank.
- Appendix 2 "Real-time notifications specification" was included as a new Appendix 2 with effect from July 1, 2020. This optional procedure gives banks the opportunity to inform their corporate customers in real time about the receipt of real-time transfers on their account (credit notification). In addition, other types of notifications (e.g. notification that new reserved items are available) are also possible.
- Appendix 3 "Specification of data formats" contains all format specifications required for domestic, SEPA and international payment transactions. Appendix 3 also contains the data formats for documentary and securities transactions, as well as account balance information in SWIFT format and in the new XML format (camt).
Technical specifications for EBICS
Technical specifications for EBICS can be found at https://www.ebics.org/.
The appendix 3, Specification of Data Formats, of the DFÜ agreement is a compilation of formats which are standardised and permitted for “DFÜ (remote data transfer) with customers.
The appendix 3, Specification of Data Formats, of the DFÜ agreement is directed at personnel working at financial institutions in the field of payment transactions and electronic banking or being in charge of the implementation of electronic banking solutions (in IT departments of financial institutions, corporate customers or producers).
Exchanging data with Holvi via EBICS
Holvi runs an EBICS server, a complete implementation of the DK (Die Deutsche Kreditwirtschaft) EBICS standard, within its environment, and is therefore able to offer secure remote EBICS data transmission between a customer and its environment.
Please contact us if you want to connect your financial management software and ERP systems to Holvi via EBICS.