Field 21
SWIFT MT field, category 2 related reference.
Definition
With a 16x format, field 21 carries the reference of the message or operation the transfer relates to. In the MT202 it is mandatory: it references field 20 of the covered MT103, or the conventional value NONREF when no relevant reference exists. It enables end-to-end reconciliation across the correspondent chain.
Origin
Specified in the SWIFT User Handbook (Standards MT, Category 2 field descriptions), published and maintained by SWIFT.
Example in context
:20:COV-77881
:21:REF103-12345 (ref. of the covered MT103)