diff --git a/db/models.py b/db/models.py
index 58ecb48..0f50016 100644
--- a/db/models.py
+++ b/db/models.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class TransactionRecord:
     status: str
     bankcode: str
     jrnl_id: str
-    tran_date: date
+    tran_date: str  # DDMMYYYY format
     cbs_acct: str
     tran_amt: Decimal
     txnind: str
diff --git a/processors/data_mapper.py b/processors/data_mapper.py
index 5d16056..3ebbf49 100644
--- a/processors/data_mapper.py
+++ b/processors/data_mapper.py
@@ -17,17 +17,18 @@ class DataMapper:
     """Maps parsed ACH transactions to database records."""
 
     @staticmethod
-    def convert_date(date_str: str) -> datetime.date:
+    def convert_date(date_str: str) -> str:
         """
-        Convert ACH date string to Python date.
+        Convert ACH date string to DDMMYYYY format.
 
         ACH format: DD/MM/YY (e.g., '19/01/26')
+        Output format: DDMMYYYY (e.g., '19012026')
 
         Args:
             date_str: Date string in DD/MM/YY format
 
         Returns:
-            datetime.date object
+            Date string in DDMMYYYY format
         """
         try:
             if not date_str or len(date_str) < 8:
@@ -35,11 +36,12 @@ class DataMapper:
 
             # Parse DD/MM/YY
             parsed_date = datetime.strptime(date_str, '%d/%m/%y')
-            return parsed_date.date()
+            # Return in DDMMYYYY format
+            return parsed_date.strftime('%d%m%Y')
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error converting date '{date_str}': {e}")
-            # Return today's date as fallback
-            return datetime.now().date()
+            # Return today's date in DDMMYYYY format as fallback
+            return datetime.now().strftime('%d%m%Y')
 
     @staticmethod
     def calculate_txnind(amount_str: str) -> str: