AP Monthly Newsletter March 2026

Finance & Accounts Payable

International Wire Payments — Monthly Reminders & Process Updates

To ensure timely international payments, banking compliance, and accurate financial reporting, please review the following international wire–specific procedures and best practices.

International Wire Payment Essentials

Verify Vendor Banking Details Before Submission

Before submitting an international wire request, confirm that the beneficiary's name, address, and banking details match exactly what is on file in PAW. Even minor discrepancies (spacing, abbreviations, country formatting) can result in rejected or returned wires.

If banking or address information is outdated, do not submit the request.
Contact Business Services via RT to have the vendor record updated before initiating payment.

Banking Information Must Be Complete

International wires require significantly more detail than domestic payments. Submissions must include:

• Beneficiary legal name and full physical address

• Beneficiary bank name and address

• Bank identifier (SWIFT/BIC; IBAN if applicable)

• Account number (formatted per country standards)

• Currency of payment

Missing or incorrect data is the most common cause of international wire delays.

Invoice & Documentation Accuracy

Invoices must reflect the correct date and must be submitted in U.S. Dollars (USD).

Incorrectly dated invoices or invoices submitted in foreign currency can cause reconciliation issues and delay State processing.

Supporting documentation must be clear and legible.

Receipts Are Required for Reimbursements

All international reimbursement requests must include valid receipts. Missing documentation remains the #1 reason payments are returned or held.

EFT/ACH Is Not an Option for International Vendors

EFT/ACH payments are limited to U.S. banking institutions. International vendors must be paid via wire, and additional processing time should be expected.

Communication & Request Submission

Use the RT System for All Internal Requests

For international wire inquiries or corrections, submit an RT Ticket rather than emailing staff directly. This ensures proper tracking and faster resolution.

Remit Address & Banking Changes

Do not submit an RT Ticket in the AP Queue to change international banking or remit information.

Suppliers must complete a New Supplier Form and applicable tax documentation through the PAW portal under "Quick Links."

Formal documentation is required to support all changes.

 This documentation is critical for Banking Services and State of Maryland approval. Without proper paperwork, the State cannot process international wire requests.

Key Reminders

International wires involve additional State review, banking compliance checks, and longer processing timelines. Submitting complete, accurate, and well-documented requests upfront is essential to avoid payment delays.

X-9 Form

Use UMBC's fillable X-9 form. GAD-X-9-Form-for-UMBC-fillable.pdf or go to

https://financialservices.umbc.edu/9-2forms/ under Accounts Payable Forms.

The form must be typed, except for Section IV.

The vendor should complete the following lines:

• Lines 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 (if international), 13, 14, 16 (if domestic), and 17.

Section III must be completed if this is an international wire that requires an intermediary (correspondent) bank.
The intermediary bank listed in Section III must not be the same as the primary bank. Failure to include intermediary bank information when required may result in rejected or delayed wire payments.

No other lines should be completed.
The X-9 must be signed and dated.

Common Errors That Delay International Wire Payments

Incomplete Banking Information

Missing or incorrect SWIFT/BIC codes, IBANs, bank addresses, account numbers, or required intermediary bank information in Section III of the X-9 form will cause the wire to be rejected. International wires require all fields to be completed exactly as provided by the vendor's bank.

Beneficiary Name Does Not Match Bank Records

The beneficiary's legal name must match the bank account precisely. Abbreviations, nicknames, or formatting differences (even punctuation) can prevent the wire from being processed.

Incorrect Currency Selection

Invoices must be submitted in USD. Submitting invoices or payment requests in foreign currency can result in reconciliation issues, short payments, additional bank fees, or rejected transactions.

Outdated or Unverified Vendor Records

Submitting a wire request before the vendor's banking or address information is updated in PAW is a frequent cause of delays. Always confirm records are current before submission.

Missing or Insufficient Documentation

Invoices, receipts, or required tax forms that are missing, illegible, or incomplete will stop processing until corrected.

Attempting to Change Banking Information via RT

International banking changes cannot be handled through RT tickets alone. Vendors must submit formal documentation through the PAW portal. Without this, the State of Maryland cannot approve the wire.

Late or Backdated Invoices

Invoices with incorrect dates create reconciliation issues and can delay approval and State processing.

Assuming International Wires Process Like Domestic Payments

International wires require additional compliance review and longer timelines. Submitting last-minute requests often results in missed payment deadlines.