Bank integration

F

flipchart

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Hi

I want to develop a mobile app which uses info from your bank statement. The app would need to connect to some sort of banking API, and download info from your bank statement. Obviously this introduces security issues, which I would be careful to manage. What I would like to know, is if anyone knows how where I could find any such APIs to access that sort of information for SA banks? If the banks themselves don't offer such APIs, are there any other companies which do?

Thanks!
 
M

Messugga

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You simply won't get it because as far as I am aware, an API doesn't exist. It'd be way too big a security problem for a bank to bother with. When I worked for the various financial firms, we worked directly on the DB's.
Sorry, but you're going to have to scratch that app idea.
 
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fiaskow

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Most other apps get statements imported in the ofc/ofx formats that can be downloaded from your internet banking profile. Its a bit of a manual process, but thats all you are gonna get.
 
F

flipchart

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Yeah I know about the statement downloads. It is quite manual, but it may be a consideration. Thanks for the suggestion.

Do you know if SA is kinda backwards in this regards? Or am I a bit mad to think that any bank would ever offer such an API?
 
N

Nokkie

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You don't have to give up on the idea,

Make it a patent, And go see someone at a bank and lay the rules down...

Maybe they will give you an offer for your idea?

flipchart said:
Hi

I want to develop a mobile app which uses info from your bank statement. The app would need to connect to some sort of banking API, and download info from your bank statement. Obviously this introduces security issues, which I would be careful to manage. What I would like to know, is if anyone knows how where I could find any such APIs to access that sort of information for SA banks? If the banks themselves don't offer such APIs, are there any other companies which do?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
F

flipchart

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Thanks for the encouragement. I remeber a while back I sent an email to one of Standard Bank's addresses, but I never got a response from them. I was half expecting not to anyway. I think I'll take your advise and look into it

Cheers
 
L

Lounger

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Well if the info is on the statement, which is what the customer sees, then can't you parse it?
 
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flipchart

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Lounger said:
Well if the info is on the statement, which is what the customer sees, then can't you parse it?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Yes, I could parse the info from the ofc/ofx file if the user downloads it from internet banking and then uploads it to the app. But that is a bit of a manual process. Or did you mean some other way?
 
Pavan

Pavan

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Pitch your idea to FNB Connect and integrate your app into their platform or even their app itself. If you want, I'll put you in touch with some people there... Good luck.
 
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drukkie

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Well the fnb app uses it....but they have their own API's that they use.
I doubt they will open it up to you or anyone for that matter.
Also development like that runs into the thousands if not millions...for them that is.
 
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Lounger

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flipchart said:
I'm not sure what you mean by this. Yes, I could parse the info from the ofc/ofx file if the user downloads it from internet banking and then uploads it to the app. But that is a bit of a manual process. Or did you mean some other way?
Click to expand...
Yes, even with the Pastel accountancy packages, you have to download a statement and then read it in electronically.
 
F

flipchart

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Pavan said:
Pitch your idea to FNB Connect and integrate your app into their platform or even their app itself. If you want, I'll put you in touch with some people there... Good luck.
Click to expand...

Any contacts are great. Right now, I don't know anyone in banking, so all I'd be able to do is walk into a branch and see where that goes. PM me contacts: they would be much appreciated

drukkie said:
Well the fnb app uses it....but they have their own API's that they use.
I doubt they will open it up to you or anyone for that matter.
Also development like that runs into the thousands if not millions...for them that is.
Click to expand...

Yeah, by the looks of things, I'm not sure I'll be able to do this, unless it's manual, or I go whole hog and write the APIs myself with the cooperation of the bank. I'll still try FNB Connect in case I get lucky ;)
 
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Lounger

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I like the mint idea. I see it's only a one-way link to the bank, so is safe, and pools all the accounts.
 
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zippy

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Last edited:
Nefertiti

Nefertiti

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Lounger said:
It isn't an app as such. It looks like a widget.
Click to expand...

From the android market discription

FNB Banking App
FNB is proud to bring you FNB App, South Africa’s first Smartphone and Tablet Banking Application.

The FNB App is simple to use and provides a convenient, easy and secure way to do your banking anytime and anywhere.

With the FNB App you can:

- Access your banking accounts (view account balances; detailed transaction history)
- Make Once off payments and payments to your recipients
- Add recipients for payments
- Update, view and delete recipient details
- Transfer funds between your accounts
- Buy prepaid products (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, 8.ta and Virgin Mobile)
- Top up your FNB Connect Talk and Surf prepaid accounts and purchase FNB Connect Surf ADSL Bundles
- Other value added services, such as:
- Send and receive messages (powered by FNB Connect), message other FNB Connect users for FREE!
- Use Location Based Services to find FNB ATMs or Branches
- Make and receive calls (powered by FNB Connect), including FREE calls to FNB Call Centre’s
- View Forex Rates
- Apply for new FNB accounts

Anyone can download the FNB App, but you need to be an FNB customer registered for FNB Online Banking to use the transactional services.

If you are not an FNB customer, you can conveniently Switch to FNB from the App. Simply supply your details and an agent will get back to you.

If you are not registered for FNB Online Banking, visit www.fnb.co.za or call us at 087 575 0362.
 
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