National Bank EFT File Upload Guide
Everything you need to upload CPA-005 payment files to National Bank. Requirements, format specs, and how to avoid rejection.
What file format does National Bank accept?
National Bank accepts the standard CPA-005 file format for batch credit payments (direct deposits, vendor payments, etc.).
File specifications
- Format: CPA-005 (standard)
- Record length: 1464 characters
- Encoding: ASCII text
- Line endings: CRLF or LF
National Bank-specific details
- Institution number: 006
- Upload portal: NBC Business Online Banking
- Cutoff time: Check with your branch (varies)
- Processing: 1-2 business days
How to upload EFT files to National Bank
From your payroll software, accounting system, or EFT conversion tool.
Navigate to the payments or file upload section.
The exact menu path depends on your National Bank business account type.
National Bank will validate the file format before processing.
May require secondary authorization depending on your account setup.
First time? Contact your National Bank business banker to ensure your account is set up for EFT file uploads. You may need to sign additional agreements and set up user permissions.
National Bank-specific requirements
While National Bank follows the standard CPA-005 format, keep these points in mind:
- Originator ID: Must match the ID assigned by Payments Canada and registered with National Bank
- File creation number: Must be unique—National Bank tracks these to prevent duplicate submissions
- Bilingual support: National Bank supports both English and French for customer service
- Quebec focus: Strong presence in Quebec with French-language support throughout
National Bank institution number
National Bank's institution number is 006. When paying National Bank account holders, the routing format is:
006 + [5-digit transit] + [account number]
Example: Institution 006, Transit 12345, Account 1234567 → "00612345" in the routing field
Common National Bank EFT errors
File rejected: Invalid originator
Cause: Originator ID doesn't match your National Bank account setup
Fix: Verify the 9-digit originator ID matches exactly what National Bank has on file for your account
File rejected: Duplicate file
Cause: File creation number was already used
Fix: Increment the file creation number. Keep a log of numbers you've used.
Payment returned: Account not found
Cause: Invalid transit or account number for the recipient
Fix: Verify recipient's banking info from a void cheque or bank statement
File rejected: Invalid record length
Cause: Records not exactly 1464 characters
Fix: Ensure all records are padded with spaces to exactly 1464 characters
Finding National Bank transit numbers
National Bank transit numbers are 5 digits. You can find them:
- On a void cheque: The transit number is the second set of numbers at the bottom
- In online banking: Account details page shows the transit
- On bank statements: Usually shown with account information
- National Bank branch locator: Search by branch to find transit numbers
Format check: National Bank transit numbers are always 5 digits. If you have fewer, it may need leading zeros. If you have more, you may be including the institution number.
Generating National Bank-ready files with EFT Flow
EFT Flow creates properly formatted CPA-005 files that National Bank accepts:
- Standard CPA-005 format: Exactly what National Bank expects
- 1464-byte records: Properly padded
- Validation before export: Catch errors before National Bank does
- File creation tracking: Avoid duplicate numbers
- Transit/institution validation: Checks against Canadian bank database
- Amount formatting: Converts dollars to cents correctly
- Character validation: Removes invalid characters from name fields
- Trailer totals: Automatically calculated correctly
Your workflow with EFT Flow + National Bank
- Export your payment list from QuickBooks, Sage, or any CSV/Excel source
- Import into EFT Flow and map your columns (one-time setup)
- Click export to generate your CPA-005 file
- Upload to NBC Business Online Banking
- Authorize and done
National Bank EFT FAQ
What's the cutoff time for same-day processing at National Bank?
Cutoff times vary by region and account type. Contact your National Bank business banker for your specific cutoff. Generally, files uploaded by early afternoon (Eastern) process same day.
How do I get set up for EFT uploads at National Bank?
Contact your National Bank business banker. You'll need to sign an EFT services agreement, register for a Payments Canada originator ID (if you don't have one), and set up user permissions in Business Online Banking.
Is support available in French?
Yes. National Bank provides full French-language support for business banking services, including EFT file uploads and troubleshooting.
Can I test my file before sending real payments?
Ask National Bank about their test file procedures. Some banks allow test submissions that validate format without processing actual payments.
Need to generate National Bank-ready EFT files?
EFT Flow converts your Excel exports into properly formatted CPA-005 files. Validates before export. No per-transaction fees.