What does AGNT mean in ISO 20022?

AGNT is Incorrect Agent in the ExternalReturnReason1Code code set: Agent in the payment workflow is incorrect.

What should I do when I get AGNT?

Check the routing: CdtrAgt, IntrmyAgt1 and the settlement agents, or fields 56a and 57a in MT. Use the beneficiary bank's published settlement instructions for the currency.

Where does AGNT appear in a message?

For example in pacs.004, element TxInf/RtrRsnInf/Rsn/Cd.

ExternalReturnReason1Code

AGNT Reason Code: Incorrect Agent

Written and maintained by ZagTrader. Last reviewed 21 October 2026. How this page is sourced and checked

AGNT means incorrect agent in the ISO 20022 return reason code set. A bank in the payment chain is wrong: the payment was routed to an agent that is not the right one for the beneficiary or the currency.

Code: AGNT
ISO name: IncorrectAgent
Status: Registered
Last updated: 2021-08-31

Official definition

Agent in the payment workflow is incorrect.

Definition from the ISO 20022 External Code Sets, 2Q2026 (published 28 Aug 2026).

What it means in practice

In a pacs.004 payment return, a return reason code explains why funds that were already settled are being sent back. It sits in TxInf/RtrRsnInf/Rsn/Cd, and bank statements (camt.053, camt.054) repeat it in RtrInf/Rsn/Cd.

A bank in the payment chain is wrong: the payment was routed to an agent that is not the right one for the beneficiary or the currency. In cancellation requests it asks to stop a payment sent through the wrong agent.

What to do

Check the routing: CdtrAgt, IntrmyAgt1 and the settlement agents, or fields 56a and 57a in MT. Use the beneficiary bank's published settlement instructions for the currency.

Messages and fields that use ExternalReturnReason1Code

Message	Element path
pacs.004	TxInf/RtrRsnInf/Rsn/Cd, OrgnlGrpInf/RtrRsnInf/Rsn/Cd
camt.053	Stmt/Ntry/NtryDtls/TxDtls/RtrInf/Rsn/Cd
camt.054	Ntfctn/Ntry/NtryDtls/TxDtls/RtrInf/Rsn/Cd
camt.052	Rpt/Ntry/NtryDtls/TxDtls/RtrInf/Rsn/Cd
trck.001	TrckrStsAndTx/Tx/RjctRtrRsn/Rsn/Cd, TrckrStsAndTx/TxSts/RjctRtrRsn/Rsn/Cd
trck.002	TrckrStsAndTx/Tx/RjctRtrRsn/Rsn/Cd, TrckrStsAndTx/TxSts/RjctRtrRsn/Rsn/Cd
trck.004	TrckrStsAndTx/Tx/RjctRtrRsn/Rsn/Cd, TrckrStsAndTx/TxSts/RjctRtrRsn/Rsn/Cd

AGNT in other code sets

AGNT questions

What does AGNT mean in ISO 20022?: AGNT is Incorrect Agent in the ExternalReturnReason1Code code set: Agent in the payment workflow is incorrect.
What should I do when I get AGNT?: Check the routing: CdtrAgt, IntrmyAgt1 and the settlement agents, or fields 56a and 57a in MT. Use the beneficiary bank's published settlement instructions for the currency.
Where does AGNT appear in a message?: For example in pacs.004, element TxInf/RtrRsnInf/Rsn/Cd.

All ExternalReturnReason1Code codes · ISO 20022 code sets

The ISO 20022 code names and definitions on this page are reproduced from material published at iso20022.org under the ISO 20022 Intellectual Property Rights policy. This is not the official source: the up-to-date ISO 20022 standards and repository material are published only at iso20022.org. Explanations in our own words are by ZagTrader. ZagTrader is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISO or Swift.