Update your Open Banking bank feed connection

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

To make sure your Open Banking bank feed is kept active, fresh consent will need to be provided every 90 days as part of the Open Banking standard. Providing fresh consent every 90 days ensures that your account is secure and that you’re in control of the apps that access your banking data. Don’t worry if your feed expires - once you update your bank feed, FreeAgent will automatically import data from your last transaction date.

If your bank feed is with a supported bank, you can update 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 update the bank feed directly with the Starling Bank app every 90 days.

How to update your Open Banking bank feed

Navigate to the relevant bank account

Navigate to the 'Banking' tab at the top of the screen, select 'Bank Accounts' from the drop-down menu and choose the relevant bank account from the list.

Bank accounts listed under Accounts section.

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'.

'Expiring soon' notice under Bank Connection panel.

Update the bank feed within FreeAgent

To begin the update process, select 'Connect to my bank’.

Connect with NatWest page with a 'Connect to my bank' button.

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

Reconnect with NatWest page with an 'Update your accounts' button.

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 update it again. There are also scenarios where you will be redirected to your bank’s website to complete the update process, even if your bank feed is with a supported bank.

Update 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 update all your available accounts at once.

The update process may differ from bank to bank, so please follow the prompts given by your bank to complete the update 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 update it again.

Overview of Business Current Account.

Which bank feeds can I update within FreeAgent?

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

Bank Supported account types
Bank of Ireland (GB) Online banking business and personal accounts
Bank of Scotland Online banking business, commercial and personal accounts
Barclays Online banking business, personal, corporate, and wealth accounts
Barclaycard Online banking business, personal and commercial accounts
Cater Allen Online banking business and personal accounts
Danske Bank Online banking business and personal accounts
Halifax Online banking business and personal accounts
Lloyds Online banking business, commercial and personal accounts
MBNA Online banking business and personal accounts
Mettle E-money and bank accounts
Nationwide Online banking personal accounts
NatWest Online banking business and personal accounts
Royal Bank of Scotland Online banking business and personal accounts
Santander Online banking business and personal accounts
Tesco Bank Online banking business and personal accounts
Tide Business account
Ulster Bank Online banking business and personal accounts
Zempler Online banking business and personal accounts

Why can’t I update 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 update 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

Navigate to the drop-down menu at the top-right of the screen and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.

Connections and add-ons option highlighted within drop-down menu below the business name.

Next, select ‘Manage’ in the 'Bank connections' section.

'Manage' button highlighted in Bank connections section.

Choose the appropriate bank account from the list.

'NatWest' button highlighted under Bank.

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

'Update Connection' button highlighted at top of NatWest page.

Select 'Connect to my bank'. 

Connect with NatWest page with a 'Connect to my bank' button.

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 update process or redirected back to your FreeAgent bank account if your bank feed can be updated within FreeAgent.

Reconnect with NatWest page with an 'Update your accounts' button.

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.

Navigate to the drop-down menu at the top-right of the screen and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.

Connections and add-ons option highlighted within drop-down menu below the business name.

Next, select ‘Manage’ in the 'Bank connections' section.

'NatWest' button highlighted under Bank.

Choose the appropriate bank provider from the list.

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

'Disconnect from bank' button highlighted at top of NatWest page.

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

Disconnect from bank pop up window asking user if they want to disconnect.

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.

'Go to you accounts' button highlighted on Open Banking page.

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