Can’t I just use a generic PDF-to-Excel converter?

You can, for the raw table. But a bank statement needs more: consistent per-bank columns, signed amounts, a per-currency reconcile check, and the exact file (MT940, e-Factura, 1C) your software imports. That is what BankLift adds.

Does it work on scanned statements?

Yes. Generic converters usually need a clean digital PDF; BankLift also reads scans and phone photos.

Which banks does it cover?

Banks in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, including scanned statements. The list is on the supported-banks page.

BankLift as an alternative to PDF-to-Excel converters

A generic PDF-to-Excel converter pulls the text out of a PDF into a table. That works for many documents, but a bank statement needs more than a raw table: columns recognized per bank, correctly signed amounts, a reconcile check, and the exact file your accounting software imports. This page is honest about when a generic converter is enough and when it is not.

The short answer

A generic converter is enough if…

You just need the raw text out of some PDF, not a bank statement specifically.
You will map the columns and reformat the data for accounting yourself.
You do not need an import-ready file for SAGA, WinMentor, or 1C.

Choose BankLift if…

It is a bank or card statement and you want the file your software imports directly (MT940, e-Factura CSV, 1CClientBankExchange).
You want amounts, dates, and currencies normalized, and balances verified by a reconcile check before export.
You have scanned or photographed statements — not only clean digital PDFs.
You have clients banking in Moldova or Ukraine, not only Romania.

Comparison

	Generic PDF-to-Excel converter	BankLift
Output	A raw table of cells	Clean Excel/CSV + the accounting import file (MT940, e-Factura, 1C)
Per-bank columns (date, description, debit, credit, balance)	You map them yourself	Detected automatically for the bank’s layout
Signed amounts and reconcile	No	Per-currency reconcile — flags statements that do not add up
Scanned or photographed statements	Usually poor or manual	Yes
Import into SAGA / WinMentor / 1C	No — you reformat by hand	Yes, the exact file
Moldovan and Ukrainian banks	No bank logic	Yes (MAIB, Victoriabank, Moldindconbank, PrivatBank, Monobank)
Install / account	Varies	In the browser, no install, no account

Frequently asked questions

Can’t I just use a generic PDF-to-Excel converter?: You can, for the raw table. But a bank statement needs more: consistent per-bank columns, signed amounts, a per-currency reconcile check, and the exact file (MT940, e-Factura, 1C) your software imports. That is what BankLift adds.
Does it work on scanned statements?: Yes. Generic converters usually need a clean digital PDF; BankLift also reads scans and phone photos.
Which banks does it cover?: Banks in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, including scanned statements. The list is on the supported-banks page.