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Understanding Your Bank Transfer Reference Number

Updated today

When you make an international bank transfer to fund your FXTRADING.com trading account, you'll receive a confirmation receipt with a Reference Number. This guide explains what it is and how to use it to track your payment.

What is UETR?

UETR stands for Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference.

It is a 36-character universal unique identifier (UUID v4 format with 4 hyphens) automatically generated by the SWIFT gpi system for every cross-border payment.

Official format example: 8d8f3c3a-1a2b-4c5d-9e7f-123456789abc

This full 36-character code is used internally by all banks worldwide to track a payment from the sender's bank all the way to the beneficiary's account — even when multiple intermediary banks are involved.

Why Does My Bank Receipt Only Show a Short Reference Number?

In practice, almost no bank (especially in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and most of Asia-Pacific) prints the complete 36-character UETR on remittance receipts, confirmations, or PDFs.

Instead, they display a shorter Reference Number (typically 10–16 characters), labeled as:

  • Reference No.

  • Application ID

  • Transaction Reference

  • Outward Remittance Reference

This short Reference Number is uniquely mapped to the real 36-character UETR inside the bank's system.

For the bank and the SWIFT network, your short Reference Number works exactly the same as the full UETR.

CRITICAL: How to Obtain the UETR When Our Cash Team Requests It

If our Cash Team asks you for the UETR (the full 36-character code), you MUST contact your bank directly to obtain it. This is the ONLY way to get this information.

Important points to understand:

  • FXTRADING.com does NOT have access to your UETR — it is generated and stored exclusively in your bank's system

  • You cannot find the UETR on your receipt — most banks only print the short Reference Number

  • The UETR can ONLY be obtained by contacting your bank — there is no other source for this information

  • Your bank has immediate access to the UETR — it is linked to your transaction record

How to request the UETR from your bank:

  1. Call your bank's customer service hotline

    • Provide your short Reference Number from the receipt

    • Specifically request: "I need the full 36-character UETR code for this international transfer"

    • The bank can retrieve it from their system in seconds

  2. Visit your bank branch in person

    • Bring your remittance receipt

    • Ask the teller for the complete UETR associated with your transaction

  3. Use online banking or mobile app

    • Some banks display the full UETR in the detailed transaction view

    • Look for "UETR", "End-to-End Reference", or "Transaction Identifier"

  4. Email your bank's customer service

    • Attach your remittance receipt

    • Request the UETR for the specific transaction

Remember: Your bank is the ONLY source that can provide you with the UETR. FXTRADING.com, other payment platforms, or third parties cannot access this information.

How to Track Your Payment Using the Reference Number

You get full end-to-end tracking capability simply by using the Reference Number printed on your receipt:

  1. Online Banking or Mobile App

    • Log into your bank's online banking or mobile app

    • Navigate to "International Transfer Tracking" or "Cross-border Payment Inquiry"

    • Enter the Reference Number

    • You will instantly see:

      • Real-time status (processing, credited, returned, etc.)

      • Which bank currently holds the funds

      • Full fee and FX rate breakdown

      • The complete 36-character UETR (if displayed)

  2. Contact Your Bank

    • Call your bank's customer service hotline or visit a branch

    • Provide the Reference Number

    • They can give you an update in seconds

  3. SWIFT gpi Tracker

    • Some banks allow you to paste the Reference Number into the official SWIFT gpi Tracker

In Summary

  • The Reference Number on your bank receipt is your official tracking ID

  • It gives you the exact same visibility and speed as the full 36-character UETR

  • When our Cash Team requests the UETR, you can ONLY obtain it by contacting your bank directly — this is the exclusive source of this information

  • Your bank has immediate access to the UETR and can provide it to you quickly

  • Over 4,000 banks worldwide (covering >95% of global cross-border volume) honor these reference numbers for real-time tracking

Keep your Reference Number safe. If our Cash Team needs the full UETR for any reason, contact your bank immediately — they are the only ones who can provide it.

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