UnknownCharges

ACH Standard Entry Class (SEC) Code

What does CIE mean on a bank statement?

CIE

· Code definition documented · Sources checked

08/05 BANK BILL PAY CIE COMCAST 84920 $45.20

Illustrative entry. The example date and amount do not establish your bank’s format or a real transaction.

Plain-English Definition

CIE stands for Customer Initiated Entries. CIE is an ACH credit class for consumer bill payments through a payment service provider. It describes the payment route; it does not prove that you personally initiated or authorized an entry.

Important: What this code is NOT

CIE is not a merchant name or proof that a transfer was authorized. An unfamiliar CIE entry should not be dismissed as safe because of its code. Regulation E’s unauthorized-transfer definition involves actual authority and benefit, with exceptions; assessment of a covered consumer transfer depends on its facts.

Understanding CIE (Customer Initiated Entries)

Nacha classifies CIE as a consumer-to-company bill-payment credit. The credit is directed toward the payee; read your account’s debit or credit column separately to understand its effect on your balance.

A bill-payment service provider handles the instruction. CIE alone does not identify the bank website, app, biller or person who used the service.

Compare the payee, amount and date with your bill-payment history. Ask the bank or payment service for the underlying instruction if the statement is abbreviated; an illustration on this page is not a verified biller format.

Find the transaction details

Read the complete entry and its direction before looking for a company. A code may describe a deposit, payment type or status; it does not necessarily identify a purchase:

  1. Step 1 Read the full entry, including the payee, amount, date and debit/credit direction. Check any accompanying explanation of bank codes.
  2. Step 2 If you use a bill-payment service, compare its payment history and confirmation with the bank entry. Record any mismatch instead of assuming a recurring schedule exists.
  3. Step 3 Ask the bank for clarification of an unfamiliar transfer and the available payment instruction or originator information. Report a suspected unauthorized transfer promptly; the code itself does not decide the outcome.

Example statement lines

These are lookup illustrations. Bank layouts vary, and an example does not establish a particular originator or authorization:

  • BANK BILL PAY CIE COMCAST 84920
  • ONLINE PMT CIE CITY WATER DEPT
  • BILLPAY CIE CHASE CREDIT CRD
  • CIE CON EDISON BILL PAY

Questions about CIE

What does CIE stand for on a bank statement?

CIE stands for Customer Initiated Entries. CIE is an ACH credit class for consumer bill payments through a payment service provider. It describes the payment route; it does not prove that you personally initiated or authorized an entry.

Is CIE the name of a company?

CIE is not a merchant name or proof that a transfer was authorized. An unfamiliar CIE entry should not be dismissed as safe because of its code. Regulation E’s unauthorized-transfer definition involves actual authority and benefit, with exceptions; assessment of a covered consumer transfer depends on its facts.

How can I find the originator or merchant for a CIE entry?

Read the full entry, including the payee, amount, date and debit/credit direction. Check any accompanying explanation of bank codes. If you use a bill-payment service, compare its payment history and confirmation with the bank entry. Record any mismatch instead of assuming a recurring schedule exists. Ask the bank for clarification of an unfamiliar transfer and the available payment instruction or originator information. Report a suspected unauthorized transfer promptly; the code itself does not decide the outcome.

Source references

Source notes below describe the claims checked and their limits.

  • Nacha: ACH classes and originator fields https://achdevguide.nacha.org/ach-file-details

    Defines CIE, CCD, TEL and WEB classes, company fields and trace information; does not establish individual authorization or literal example descriptors.

    Source checked

  • CFPB: Regulation E account and unauthorized-transfer definitions https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1005/2/

    Consumer-account scope and unauthorized-transfer definition; a classification code alone cannot establish the facts of authority and benefit.

    Source checked

  • CFPB: transfer information on periodic statements https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1005/9/

    Covered statement information includes amount, date, direction/type and third-party identification; formatting and terminology can vary.

    Source checked

  • CFPB: transfer error inquiries and documentation https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1005/11/

    Covered consumer-transfer error notices and clarification requests; not a promise of a refund, universal deadline or particular audio record.

    Source checked