Changing imported bank statement descriptions

  • 09/04/2026
  • 4 minutes to read

This article explains how to control which text is used as the transaction description when you import bank statements in Continia Banking. You do this by configuring statement description templates and assigning them as defaults or per bank account.

Banks place transaction descriptions in different fields in their statement files. By configuring description templates, you can make sure that imported transactions show the most meaningful description.

How description import works

When you import a bank statement, Continia Banking determines the transaction description in the following order:

  1. If a statement description template is specified on the Bank Account Card, the system uses that template.
  2. If no template is specified on the bank account, the system uses the template defined in Banking Import Setup.
  3. If no template is assigned, the system uses the Posting Description from the Bank Transaction Line table.

This setup lets you define a default behavior while allowing exceptions for specific bank accounts.

After import, the description is shown in the following places:

  • On the Bank Acc. Reconciliation page, in the Description field.
  • On the Payment Reconciliation Journal, in the Transaction Text field.

Changes to import settings apply to future imports only. Existing imported bank statements are not updated.

To change import settings in Banking Import Setup

Use Banking Import Setup to define the default statement description behavior.

To select or create a statement description template:

  1. Search (Search) for and select Banking Import Setup.
  2. On the Import FastTab, in the Default Statement Description Template field, select an existing template or choose to create a new one. Continia Banking provides several default templates. See Using field templates in Banking Import for more information.
  3. If you create a new template, add the fields that should be used to build the transaction description.
  4. Save your changes.

These settings apply unless they are overridden on the bank account.

To override import settings on the Bank Account Card

You can override the default statement description template for a specific bank account.

To override the statement description template:

  1. Open the Bank Account Card.
  2. On the Payment Import FastTab, in the Default Statement Description Template field, select an existing template or choose to create a new one.
  3. Save your changes.

The selected template applies only to that bank account.

To create a custom statement description template

If the available templates do not meet your requirements, you can create your own. A statement description template determines which fields from the bank statement are used for the transaction description and in which order.

Use a custom template when a bank provides transaction descriptions in a different format or in non-standard fields.

To create a custom template:

  1. Search (Search) for and select Banking Import Setup.
  2. Go to the Default Statement Description Template field and click the three dots.
  3. On the Bank Statement Description Templates page, click New.
  4. You can now enter a code and description for your template.
  5. In the Fields section, click Add fields.
  6. Select one or more fields and click OK.