Bank APIs Directory

A bank API (Application Programming Interface) allows third-party applications to securely access banking data and services. Bank APIs enable features like account aggregation, payment initiation, balance checks, and transaction history retrieval. Under regulations like PSD2 and Open Banking, many banks are required to provide APIs to licensed third parties.

To access a bank's API, you typically need to: 1) Register as a developer on the bank's developer portal, 2) Obtain API credentials (client ID and secret), 3) Get licensed as a TPP (Third Party Provider) if required by regulation, 4) Integrate using the bank's API documentation and sandbox environment for testing.

Direct bank APIs connect you to a single bank's systems, requiring separate integrations for each bank. Aggregator APIs (like Plaid, Tink, or TrueLayer) provide a unified API that connects to thousands of banks, simplifying integration but adding an intermediary. Direct APIs offer more control; aggregators offer broader coverage and faster time-to-market.

Not all banks have public APIs. In regions with Open Banking regulations (EU, UK, Australia, Brazil), banks are required to provide APIs. In other regions like the US, APIs are voluntary. Many banks without direct APIs can still be accessed through aggregator services that use screen scraping or other methods.

Bank APIs typically provide access to: account information (balances, account details), transaction history, payment initiation (for licensed providers), direct debits, standing orders, and beneficiary management. The specific data available depends on the API type, your licensing, and user consent.

A bank API sandbox is a testing environment that simulates the bank's production API using mock data. It allows developers to build and test integrations without accessing real customer accounts or making actual transactions. Most bank developer portals offer sandbox access for free.