SURF is a compliance engine, checking document content against detail in an established agreement. It provides a single vehicle for handling documentary trade settlement, regardless of the risk profile and financing requirements of the parties involved. That is, SURF, a Value Added Service connected to the Core Messaging Platform, is a documentary trade settlement service. It offers users of the system automated document compliance checking and a tool to manage the workflow in connection with documentary trade settlement. The Service supports varying degrees of risk transfer between buyer, sellers and banks and supports transactions from open account to more complex Letters of Credit.