What bank transaction codes mean

Transaction Codes

Over the years I have seen many different types of activities in my bank accounts. But sometimes I don’t know what the transaction codes mean. And I’m left scratching my head as to what I’m being paid or charged for. Here’s an example of my account statement.

So to make life easier I’ve compiled a list of account actions with the different abbreviations and what they represent. Most of these transaction codes will apply to TD Canada Trust and Direct Investing accounts. I don’t know if other institutions use the same bank codes but they will probably look similar. 🙂

List of codes

Use Ctrl+F to find a specific code.

• ACCT BAL REBATE – Account balance rebate.
• BUY – Buying a security.
• COB DIS CREDIT – Cost of Borrowing credit for over charging.
• CONVER – A security in the portfolio underwent a corporate action in which it was exchanged for another security.
• CSHLIEU – Cash was awarded for partial shares in a corporate action in which shares of a new security were exchanged or when a split has taken place.
• CXLSELL – Original sell trade was cancelled due to a system error.
• CXLBUY – Original buy trade was cancelled due to a system error.
• CXLDIV – Dividend payout was cancelled due to a system error.
• CXLINT or CXLINTBND – Interest paid on a bond was cancelled due to a system error.
• CXLINTCRD – Interest received for cash held in a portfolio was cancelled due to a system error.
• CXLINTDEB – Interest paid on a margin loan was cancelled due to a system error.
• CXLDRI – Possibly a dividend payment in cash was cancelled, but received a DRIP instead.
• DIV – A dividend was paid.
• DIVFRG – Foreign dividend earned.
• DIVSPL – A stock held in your portfolio split or new shares have been added to the portfolio.
• DRIP – Shares or units bought using the dividend re-investment plan
• EXCH – Exchange of securities.
• FEE – Fee or carrying charge applied.
• INT –  Interest on a security has been paid.
• INTBND – Interest has been paid on a bond in the portfolio.
• INTCRD – Interest was received for cash held in your portfolio.
• INTUS – Interest earned in US dollars.
• INTDEB – Interest was paid on a margin loan.
• LQD – A liquidation of a security has taken place.
• MERGER – Company merged with another company and has a new ticker symbol. Both symbols will be listed.
• NRT – Non-resident tax.
• PRNCPL – Security has been redeemed for cash.
• REDEEM – Security has been redeemed for cash.
• REVSPLT – A stock in your portfolio experienced a reverse split.
• SELL – A security in the portfolio was sold.
• SEND E-TFR – Sending an E-Transfer to someone.
• SHORT COVER – Closing of a short position by covering the short.
• SHORT SELL – A short position was opened and stocks were short sold.
• SPNOFF – A spinoff of a parent company has taken place. Look for shares of a new security.
• STK EX – The ticker symbol, CUSIP, or the company name changed for a security that was in your portfolio.
• TENDER – A security has been redeemed for cash.
• TXPDDV – Tax paid dividend. A cash transfer that can include dividends, interest, capital gains distribution or return of capital where no additional taxes will be paid by you. This is common for Canadian ETFs or income trusts.
• TSF FR – Transfer from.
• TFR-IN – Transfer into an account.
• TFROUT – Transfer out from account.
• WBD –  Transfer in of money from another account – usually the description will include TSF FR (account number.)
• WHTX02 – Withholding tax from a U.S. stock or other security.

Keep in mind that these transaction codes may be different than what will ultimately appear on your year-end tax slip. Sometimes banks and brokerages use default designations for convenience and may vary from the tax documents they send to you and the CRA. Whether you are using WebBroker or another online service make sure to ask a representative if you are unsure of any activities in your account.

Other codes you may see

Additional codes and descriptions from TD’s website:

Tax Payment & Filing Description Codes

FEDERAL

PROVINCIAL – Alberta

PROVINCIAL – British Columbia

PROVINCIAL – Nova Scotia

PROVINCIAL – Ontario

PROVINCIAL – Quebec

PROVINCIAL – Saskatchewan

More transaction codes will added as this page is updated over time.

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Random Useless Fact:

 The world’s oldest stock market began in Belgium in 1460.