Downloaded transaction from bank credit card doesn't show store name correctly.

Transaction Example: Credit Card Ln Adv: VARIABLE MY CARD MCDONALD'S, shows up as "Credit Card Ln Adv: Variable My" on Quicken register. It should show as "MCDONALDS" like all the other accounts I have linked to Quicken.

I have tried using the renaming rules under the Window tab, "Payee & Rules". When changing "Credit Card Ln Adv: Variable My" to MCDONALDS" it will change every transaction with the name "Credit Card Ln Adv: Variable My" to MCDONALDS. But unfortunately all my transactions are not McDonald's.

It seems like the Quicken software doesn't recognize anything past "Credit Card Ln Adv: Variable My". This is the only account that does this. I have other accounts with this bank that doesn't do this. My bank says it is a Quicken issue. Has anyone else seen this?

Quicken user for 20 years and I have never seen this. I noticed it started several months ago after a Quicken update.

Thanks,
Brad

Best Answer

  • jacobs
    jacobs SuperUser, Mac Beta Beta
    Answer ✓
    If you count characters in what you're reporting, the description cuts off after 32 characters. That is the limit for characters in the Payee Names filed (<NAME>) in the OFX/QFX standard. So the problem is your credit card provider: they are not providing a useful enough Payee name within the 32 character limit in the industry standard format. They need to eliminate or abbreviate the information which appears on every transaction from the current 37 characters to something shorter such that the unique Payee name is actually included in what they transmit. 


    Quicken Mac Subscription • Quicken user since 1993

Answers

  • jacobs
    jacobs SuperUser, Mac Beta Beta
    Answer ✓
    If you count characters in what you're reporting, the description cuts off after 32 characters. That is the limit for characters in the Payee Names filed (<NAME>) in the OFX/QFX standard. So the problem is your credit card provider: they are not providing a useful enough Payee name within the 32 character limit in the industry standard format. They need to eliminate or abbreviate the information which appears on every transaction from the current 37 characters to something shorter such that the unique Payee name is actually included in what they transmit. 


    Quicken Mac Subscription • Quicken user since 1993
  • Thanks. I reported to my bank a similar thought. The bank continues to blame Quicken. I believe your response is correct. I will contact them again.
  • jacobs
    jacobs SuperUser, Mac Beta Beta
    Banks front-line customer service people often deflect the problems to Quicken, an answer which is sometime correct and sometimes not! ;)  If you can persists at getting through to an IT specialist who knows something about downloads, then mentioning that the OFX standard limits the transaction name field to 32 characters might get you somewhere. Good luck. It's always  a challenge to end users when there are two or more companies involved in a technical problem.
    Quicken Mac Subscription • Quicken user since 1993
  • jlssls
    jlssls Windows Beta Beta
    When I download my transactions it shows the same payee, even though it is not. I tried the renaming and it still refers back to the wrong payee. I removed the rule, so I will see what happens during the next download
  • I was able to get my account to link and update correctly. My bank allows nicknames on their online banking. I shortened the Nick Name on my bank account that I was having trouble and re-linked the account to Quicken and it downloads correctly. I also contacted my bank regarding the length of the transaction names. I never heard back from my bank and the length of the transaction name has never changed. So, I am not 100% why it is working again. I didn't do anything with the renaming rules on Quicken to get it working.
This discussion has been closed.