Retrieve Transactions Error

[Stefan]

After digging up more into Quicken vs Money support for direct access, my understanding is that both use OFX. However Quicken has extended OFX with a set of tags of the form INTU.XXX which they use to do some checks on the financial institution.
As MS Money support is being eliminated, my question is if FM could use OFX as Quicken does adn ignore the INTU.XXX extensions.

[Mark]

Hi Stefan,

I don't know what INTU.XXX means? I've never heard of this.

The OFX interface is a standard. See www.ofx.net. When an application, such as Money, Quicken, or Fund Manager make a request to an OFX server, these applications must identify themselves, with an APPID value. Fund Manager uses the same APPID as MS Money. I can't tell you why Smith Barney is having trouble with MS Money, but not Quicken. They are probably somehow doing something different internally based on this application ID.

[Stefan]

I understand that. But my question was prompted by the fact that many financial institutions will stop supporting Money.
So, would it be possible to have FM indentify itself with the Quicken APPID as an option for those of us using these brokerages?

[Mark]

Hi Stefan,

Yes, that is something we may do if a broker rejects requests from applications using the MS Money APPID. I'm not sure why they would do that, but if they do, we can change the request's APPID.

[aviator]

Mark, FYI, below in bold is a message that is currently being displayed on Wells Fargo's website.

Today, I have two options for retrieving data: 1) By logging in to their website and manually downloading an OFX file for each account I own; 2) By entering my user ID and password into Fund Manager and retrieving data without having to open a browser which, I believe, uses their OFX server.

I don't know if the message below pertains to option 1 or option 2 above, but I thought you'd like a heads-up.

"Important message for Microsoft® Money users. Microsoft is discontinuing support of Microsoft Money. As a result, we will be removing the Money download options from this site as of November 1, 2010. We have arranged for a 20% discount on Quicken® financial management software for Wells Fargo customers through May 31, 2011. For questions, please call 1-800-352-3702. "

[Mark]

Hi aviator,

Thanks for the info. To me, this sounds like the "download" option via their website will no longer be available. If they still have a Quicken download, you can use that for your option #1, as that is a .QFX file, which is a slightly modified OFX file, for Quicken. Fund Manager supports importing this file as well.

They should still operate their OFX server (option #2), as Quicken uses that as well.

If you have any troubles retrieving from their OFX server after November 1, please let me know.

[Stefan]

Just to let all those affected know.
I tested tonight and apparently SmithBarney has fixed it. I could retrieve transactions again with FM.

[Mark]

Hi Stefan,

Thanks for the update. Smith Barney has been in touch with us, and we've learned they had switched to a new WAS server. (I'm not sure what a WAS server is, but they said it affects their OFX server.) They said they were most likely going to temporarily pull back to their old WAS server, but eventually would be going to the new server. We've offered to work with them to help them root cause the problem. Hopefully whatever problem was happening can get fixed by before they roll back out the new WAS server.

[Stefan]

I am glad to hear they have worked with you. They should relax their policy of strictly Money or Quicken and acknowledge support of any OFX compatible app.
They gave me, basically, the same update, without going into details.
Basically, they went back to the old server until they find a solution to the problem.
They also seemed unable to test the OFX features before rolling out the new server. I hope they will fix their test process as well before deploying the new server.

[Mark]

Hi Stefan,

We've just released version 10.7, and have added the ability to override the APPID and APPVER values used to talk to OFX servers. It isn't something most users would ever do, but can be helpful in debugging these situations. It was added as a "registry option". If you'd like to try it, you can add 2 string values in this key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Beiley Software\Fund Manager\CurrentVersion\OFXRET

Make 2 string values in here with value labels:

appid
appversion

If you set appid to "QWIN" and appversion to "1900" this will present the same values to the OFX server as Quicken 2010.

You can verify these registry options are being utilized by looking at your "ofxpost.txt" log file after a transaction retrieve.

[Baabr]

My SmithBarney downloads had been working since Mark interacted with them, but they would not download today (I only try on Saturdays).

[Mark]

Hi Baabr,

What specifically happens when you try? Do you get an error, or do you just see an empty list of transactions in the preview window?

Also, take a look at the xmldump.txt log file after retrieving. It may offer more clues. If you want, you can send me this log file, and I'll take a look. For help on finding this log file, read the very bottom of this page:

http://www.fundmanagersoftware.com/tintrtv.html

[Baabr]

1st error window: "Unknown error in signon" and "LDAPException 91 - null"
2nd error window: "Failed to retrieve portfolio" and "Broker: SmithBarney - Investments..."

I'll send you the xmldump.txt log file in a separate e-mail, but it seems to only have Vanguard references.

[Mark]

Hi Baabr,

Sounds like another internal OFX server error...

Yes, the log file was for a Vanguard account. Try retrieving only the Smith Barney account. Also, please send the ofxretr.txt log file as well.

[Mark]

Hi Baabr,

Thanks for sending the ofxretr.txt file. The error is happening during signing in, and the OFX server is reporting an error code of 400, with a message of:

LDAPException 91 - null

I can't tell you what that means, other than it is some internal OFX server error. It may be that they are currently updating something, and the error will correct itself. If it doesn't correct itself I would suggest contact Smith Barney.