How to re-consent or update your Open Banking bank feed connection

This article explains why Open Banking bank feeds require re-consent every 90 days and how to re-consent in FreeAgent. It also explains how to update your bank feed connection manually.

To make sure your Open Banking bank feed is kept active, you’ll need to reconnect and re-consent with your bank every 90 days as part of the Open Banking standard. Reconnecting to your bank every 90 days ensures that your account is secure and that you’re in control of the apps that access your banking data.

From late June 2022 onwards, if your bank feed is with a supported bank, you’ll be able to re-consent your bank feed from within FreeAgent, without being redirected to your bank’s website.

If you have set up a bank feed integration with Starling Bank, you’ll need to re-consent directly with the Starling Bank app every 90 days.

How to re-consent your Open Banking bank feed

Navigate to the relevant bank account

Navigate to the 'Banking' tab at the top of the screen and select 'Bank Accounts' from the drop-down menu.

Select the relevant bank account from the list.

FreeAgent will display an ‘Expiring soon’ warning in the 'Bank Connection' box on the right-hand side of the screen 10 days before a bank feed is due to expire. When this alert appears, select 'Update connection'.

Re-consent the bank feed within FreeAgent

To begin the re-consent process, select 'Continue’.

Review your bank accounts that are linked to FreeAgent and select 'Update your accounts'.

This will complete the process if you have set up a bank feed with a supported bank. Your bank feed will function as normal for the next 90 days, after which you’ll need to repeat this process to re-consent again. Please note that the earliest you'll be able to re-consent your bank feed directly within FreeAgent is from late June 2022 onwards. There are also scenarios where you will be redirected to your bank’s website to complete the re-consent process, even if your bank feed is with a supported bank.

Re-consent the bank feed on your bank's website

If your bank feed isn’t with a supported bank, you’ll be redirected to your bank’s website, where you’ll have the option to reconnect all your available accounts at once.

The re-consent process may differ from bank to bank, so please follow the prompts given by your bank to complete the reconnection with FreeAgent.

Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your FreeAgent account and your bank feed will function as normal for the next 90 days, after which you’ll need to re-consent it again.

What happens if I don’t re-consent my bank feed in time?

Don’t worry if your feed expires - once you reconnect to your bank, FreeAgent will automatically import data from your last transaction date, so no data will be missing.

Which bank feeds can I re-consent within FreeAgent?

The ability to re-consent your bank feed in FreeAgent without being redirected to your bank’s website is available for the following banks from late June 2022. We plan to expand this functionality to other banks when they supply us with the technical information needed to support this functionality.

Why can’t I re-consent my bank feed within FreeAgent?

There are a number of reasons why you might be redirected to your bank’s website to complete the 90 day re-consent process:

• Your bank feed is not with a supported bank
• Due to Open Banking regulations, we are unable to import transactions older than 90 days without reconnecting with your bank
• Open Banking access has been revoked by your bank, e.g. your online banking login details have changed, or for security reasons
• In order for FreeAgent to comply with Open Banking technical changes, we may need you to reconnect with your bank
• You are adding a new bank account not previously connected to FreeAgent

How to update your Open Banking bank feed connection manually

First, navigate to the drop-down menu at the top-right of the screen and select ‘Connections’.

Next, select ‘Manage bank connections’.

Choose the appropriate bank account from the list.

Select 'Update Connection’ at the top-right of the screen. 

Select 'Continue'. 

Next, you’ll be prompted to review your bank accounts that are linked to FreeAgent. Select 'Update your accounts' and you’ll be redirected to your bank’s website to finish the re-consent process or redirected back to your FreeAgent bank account if your bank feed supports re-consent within FreeAgent.

Why can’t I update my bank feed connection?

If your bank feed connection fails to update after following the steps above, please wait 24 hours and then follow the steps again. If you’re still unable to update the connection, you will need to disconnect your bank feed and set it up again.

To do this, navigate to the drop-down menu at the top-right of the screen and select ‘Connections’.

Next, select ‘Manage bank connections’.

Choose the appropriate bank provider from the list.

Select ‘Disconnect from bank’ at the top-right of the screen.

A pop-up window will appear. Select ‘Disconnect’ to complete the process.

Once you’ve disconnected your bank feed, you’ll be taken to an Open Banking screen. Select ‘Go to your accounts’ and follow these steps to set up the bank feed again.