How To Fix BF00218 - IBAN without BIC cannot be activated; see long text

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: BF00 - FI: Application base reports

• Message number: 218

• Message text: IBAN without BIC cannot be activated; see long text

What causes this issue?

The 'IBAN w/o BIC' setting cannot be activated for the country in
question because an internal bank has not yet been created for this
country. The system cannot save bank details without a bank ID. If only
an IBAN is specified for the bank details, this IBAN must be assigned to
an internal bank created in the system if the corresponding BIC (SWIFT
code) is unknown.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Create an internal bank using transaction <DS:TRAN.FISEPA>FISEPA</>.
Then activate the 'IBAN w/o BIC' parameter.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message BF00218 - IBAN without BIC cannot be activated; see long text ?

  The SAP error message BF00218 indicates that an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) cannot be activated without a corresponding BIC (Bank Identifier Code). This error typically arises in the context of financial transactions or when setting up bank details in the SAP system.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the system requires both an IBAN and a BIC for certain banking operations, especially in countries where these codes are mandatory for electronic payments. The BIC is used to identify the bank associated with the IBAN, and without it, the system cannot process transactions correctly.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you should ensure that the BIC is provided along with the IBAN. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Check Bank Details: Go to the relevant transaction or master data record where the IBAN is entered (e.g., vendor or customer master data).
  
  
  Enter BIC: Ensure that the BIC field is filled in. If you do not have the BIC, you can usually obtain it from the bank or through online banking resources.
  
  
  Validate IBAN and BIC: Make sure that the IBAN and BIC are valid and correctly formatted. You can use online IBAN validation tools to check the correctness of the IBAN.
  
  
  Update Configuration: If your organization operates in a region where IBANs are used but BICs are not required, you may need to adjust the configuration settings in SAP to allow for IBANs without BICs. This typically involves working with your SAP administrator or consultant.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to the SAP documentation or help files for specific instructions related to your version of SAP, as the steps may vary.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  IBAN: A standardized international numbering system for bank accounts, which helps in identifying bank accounts across countries.
  BIC: A standard format of Business Identifier Codes, which is used to identify banks and financial institutions globally.
  SAP Configuration: Depending on your SAP version, there may be specific configuration settings that dictate whether BICs are mandatory for IBANs. This can usually be found in the financial accounting (FI) module settings.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or refer to SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message.