Real-Time Payments File Format


How to create Real-Time Payments Request for Payment File Format

Real-time Payments Format – ISO 20022 RfP for Instant AR Reconciliation

Real-time Payments Format defines the structure used for sending and receiving transaction data across real-time payment systems like FedNow® and the RTP® network. Using ISO 20022, a global standard for financial messaging, businesses can automate billing, trigger Request for Payments (RfPs), and receive funds instantly while tracking every transaction with precise, structured data.

Our real-time aging accounts receivable software uses this format to streamline invoice delivery, automate reconciliation, and provide visibility across multiple banks and aliases—ensuring AR is up-to-date and error-free.

Real-Time Payments Deserve a Global Standard

Most businesses today operate across digital platforms, but their payment processes still lag behind. Waiting for manual payment confirmations, paper checks, or outdated reconciliation tools leads to aging AR and delayed cash flow.

With ISO 20022-based Real-time Payments Format, you can send payment requests and receive instant responses, formatted to international standards. This format supports seamless integration with FedNow® and RTP®, and enables automated reconciliation using email addresses or phone numbers as aliases tied to unique MIDs.

Benefits of Using Real-time Payments Format with ISO 20022

Instant RfP Messaging for Aging AR Collections
Send structured payment requests using ISO 20022 format, and enable customers to pay instantly using secure hosted links. All transactions are processed through Request for Payments.

Alias-Based MID Tracking Across All Banks
Assign a Merchant Identification Number (MID) to each email address or mobile number. This allows you to reconcile payments from multiple sources—even across different banks or credit unions.

Full Compatibility with RTP® and FedNow® Networks
Process payments in real time using either rail. No waiting for settlement—your AR system reflects updates the moment funds are received.

Cross-Bank, Cross-State Payment Consolidation
Track and reconcile payments received from multiple business divisions, locations, or financial institutions—all in one dashboard.

ISO 20022-Enabled Hosted Payment Pages
Each RfP sent includes a secure payment link formatted to international standards, ensuring regulatory compliance and a seamless customer experience.

No Bank Visit Required
We are a U.S.-based accounting fintech. You can apply, enroll, and begin accepting real-time payments entirely online.

QuickBooks® QBO Integration
Sync all RfP activity and received payments to your accounting platform automatically—no manual entry or spreadsheet imports needed.


Why Businesses Choose TodayPayments.com for ISO 20022 and RfP

1. Instant setup of alias-based MIDs across multiple financial institutions
2. Send ISO 20022-formatted RfPs with embedded hosted payment pages
3. Use both FedNow® and RTP® for nationwide, real-time processing
4. Sync AR updates directly with QuickBooks® Online in real time
5. Manage aging receivables with full visibility across all customer profiles
6. Enable mobile, SMS, email, and text-to-pay invoicing formats
7. Support for Schedule C, LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, and more


The Real-Time Payments (RTP) Request for Payment (RfP) file typically adheres to the ISO 20022 XML format. This international standard governs electronic data interchange between financial institutions and is used for a variety of payment processing, including RTP systems such as FedNow and The Clearing House RTP. Here's a breakdown of the key components in an RfP file format:

1. ISO 20022 Format

  • ISO 20022 Pain.013: This is the payment initiation message standard used to create RfP files. It includes mandatory, conditional, and optional fields.
  • XML Structure: The file is structured in XML format, which allows it to be machine-readable and easily parsed by banking systems.

2. Core Components of an RfP File:

  • Header Information: Includes details such as message ID, creation date, and version.
  • Creditor Information (Payee): Contains the name, bank account details (IBAN, Routing Number, etc.), and the creditor's reference number.
  • Debtor Information (Payer): Includes the debtor's name, account information, and payment reference.
  • Payment Amount and Currency: Specifies the amount being requested, along with the associated currency (e.g., USD, EUR).
  • Due Date: The date by which the payment is requested to be completed.
  • Remittance Information: Details regarding the payment, such as invoice numbers, billing information, or any other contextual data necessary for reconciliation.
  • Request for Payment Type: Whether the request is for a single or recurring payment.

3. Example Fields:

  • <CdtTrfTxInf>: Credit Transfer Transaction Information, including the payment amount and beneficiary.
  • <IntrBkSttlmAmt>: Interbank settlement amount.
  • <ReqdExctnDt>: Required execution date for the payment.
  • <UltmtDbtr>: Ultimate debtor (payer) details.
  • <PmtTpInf>: Payment type information.

4. Additional Data:

  • Payment Hub Information: Data regarding the intermediary (such as The Clearing House or FedNow) that facilitates the message delivery from the creditor’s bank to the debtor’s bank.
  • Bank-Specific Fields: Banks may require additional proprietary fields based on their infrastructure, such as specific routing instructions or internal reference numbers.

5. File Types:

  • .xml: Standard format for RTP transactions.
  • .csv: Some banks may also accept CSV formats for batch uploads, especially when multiple payments are requested simultaneously.

6. Security Considerations:

  • Encryption: The file must be securely transmitted using encryption methods like HTTPS or SFTP.
  • Digital Signatures: Many RTP systems require digitally signed files to ensure authenticity and prevent tampering.

By following the ISO 20022 standards, financial institutions ensure that RfP files are universally recognized and processed efficiently. For detailed technical specifications, most banks provide their own guidelines based on the ISO 20022 framework, and solutions like SecureQBPlugin help generate compliant RfP files for QuickBooks users

Real-Time Request Payment

Real-Time Instant Payments

Payments Real-Time


Upgrade to Global Payment Standards at TodayPayments.com

Still waiting on aging receivables to be paid through slow, unstructured systems?
It’s time to format your AR for the real-time economy.

Use ISO 20022 to send Request for Payments instantly
Accept real-time payments via RTP® and FedNow®
Assign alias-based MIDs for 100+ customer profiles
Consolidate payments from multiple banks and branches
Sync with QuickBooks® for instant reconciliation
Apply online 24/7no bank appointment required

Start using Real-time Payments Format now at https://www.TodayPayments.com
Real-time Payments Format – The Global Standard for Real-Time Financial Precision.

Creation Request for Payment Bank File

Call us, the .csv and or .xml Request for Payment (RfP) file you need while on your 1st phone call! We guarantee our reports work to your Bank and Credit Union. We were years ahead of competitors recognizing the benefits of RequestForPayment.com. We are not a Bank. Our function as a role as an "Accounting System" in Open Banking with Real-Time Payments to work with Billers to create the Request for Payment to upload the Biller's Bank online platform. U.S. Companies need help to learn the RfP message delivering their bank. Today Payments' ISO 20022 Payment Initiation (PAIN .013) shows how to implement Create Real-Time Payments Request for Payment File up front delivering a message from the Creditor (Payee) to it's bank. Most banks (FIs) will deliver the message Import and Batch files for their company depositors for both FedNow and Real-Time Payments (RtP). Once uploaded correctly, the Creditor's (Payee's) bank continues through a "Payment Hub", will be the RtP Hub will be The Clearing House, with messaging to the Debtor's (Payer's) bank. Request for Payment

... easily create Real-Time Payments RfP files. No risk. Test with your bank and delete "test" files before APPROVAL on your Bank's Online Payments Platform. Today Payments is a leader in the evolution of immediate payments. We were years ahead of competitors recognizing the benefits of Same-Day ACH and Real-Time Payments funding. Our business clients receive faster availability of funds on deposited items and instant notification of items presented for deposit all based on real-time activity. Dedicated to providing superior customer service and industry-leading technology.

Pricing with our Request For Payment Professionals

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 1) Free ISO 20022 Request for Payment File Formats, for FedNow and Real-Time Payments (The Clearing House) .pdf for you manually create "Mandatory" (Mandatory data for completed file) fields, start at page 4, with "yellow" highlighting. $0.0 + No Support


2) We create .csv or .xml formatting using your Bank or Credit Union. Create Multiple Templates. Payer/Customer Routing Transit and Deposit Account Number may be required to import with your bank. You can upload or "key data" into our software for File Creation of "Mandatory" general file.

Fees = $57 monthly, including Support Fees and Batch Fee, Monthly Fee, User Fee, Additional Payment Method on "Hosted Payment Page" (Request for file with an HTML link per transaction to "Hosted Payment Page" with ancillary payment methods of FedNow, RTP, ACH, Cards and many more!) + $.03 per Transaction + 1% percentage on gross dollar file,


3) Payer Routing Transit and Deposit Account Number is NOT required to import with your bank. We add your URI for each separate Payer transaction.

Fees Above 2) plus $29 monthly additional QuickBooks Online "QBO" formatting, and "Hosted Payment Page" and WYSIWYG


4) Above 3) plus Create "Total" (over 600 Mandatory, Conditional & Optional fields of all ISO 20022 Pain .013) Price on quote.

Each day, thousands of businesses around the country are turning their transactions into profit with real-time payment solutions like ours.



Activation Dynamic RfP Aging and Bank Reconciliation worksheets - only $49 annually

1. Worksheet Automatically Aging for Requests for Payments and Explanations

- Worksheet to determine "Reasons and Rejects Coding" readying for re-sent Payers.
- Use our solution yourself. Stop paying accountant's over $50 an hour. So EASY to USE.
- No "Color Cells to Match Transactions" (You're currently doing this. You won't coloring with our solution).
- One-Sheet for Aging Request for Payments (Merge, Match and Clear over 100,000 transactions in less than 5 minutes!)
- Batch deposits displaying Bank Statements are not used anymore. Real-time Payments are displayed "by transaction".
- Make sure your Bank displaying "Daily FedNow and Real-time Payments" reporting for "Funds Sent and Received". (These banks have Great Reporting.)

2. Bank Reconciliation with as Payee FedNow & Real-Time Payments for Accrual, Cash and Hybrid Basis and QBO - Undeposited Funds


Contact Us for Request For Payment payment processing