BAI (file format)

BAI (or the BAI file format) is a colloquial term used to describe a file format for using EDI to perform cash management balance reporting. The BAI format was developed and is maintained by the Banking Administration Institute (BAI). One common application of the BAI format is for use by banks to transmit returned item data to customers (for example, checks which have been marked insufficient funds (NSF)). The current release is "Cash Management Balance Reporting Specifications Version 2", typically referred to as "BAI2".

History

In 1971, BAI created a precursor to the BAI format called the "Lockbox Communications Standards for Banks", which supported reporting only for lockbox services. This standard was never updated and was eventually superseded by the BAI format.

In 1980, BAI, working with various U.S. banks, released "BAI1", the "Cash Management Balance Reporting Specification, Version 1", the first release of cash management balance reporting specifications. Some banks still use BAI1, but BAI discontinued formal support after 1990.

In 1987, the original specifications were replaced by "BAI2".

In 2001, the "BAI2" specifications were updated to include new codes for lending transactions.

Since the user base of the BAI format has reached critical mass and is considered self-supporting, BAI no longer actively supports (or charges for) the BAI format specifications, which are now freely available as a 104-page PDF document. [http://www.bai.org/operations/reportingcodes.asp]

SWIFT (the international financial industry messaging cooperative) maintains the official list of worldwide currency codes as used with BAI2. (Appendix B of the BAI2 specifications mirrors the list as of June 2005.)

External links

*http://www.bai.org/operations/reportingcodes.asp
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20060902063313/http://www.bai.org/operations/PDF/Cash_Management_2005.pdf Cash Management Balance Reporting Specifications Version 2]
* [http://www.swift.com SWIFT (worldwide currency codes)]