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Everything you need to know about Open Banking

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Leanne Macardle

Freelance Contributor
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Open Banking

At a glance

  • Open Banking allows your financial data to be shared with third-party apps and services, helping to facilitate effective budgeting, saving and better financial management overall.
  • You’re in control of who has access to your data and can withdraw consent at any time.
  • Because any data sharing poses additional risk, you need to be confident that the third-party service you’re dealing with is authorised by the FCA.

What is Open Banking?

Open Banking is a practice that allows you to securely share your financial data with authorised third-party providers, such as budgeting apps or other banks, through application programming interfaces (APIs). Depending on the app or service, you can also give them permission to make payments directly from your bank account.

You can share information including:

  • Details of your personal or business current account
  • Any credit cards you own
  • Details of any e-money accounts

By sharing financial information between providers, you can seamlessly manage your money with different services for a high level of flexibility and control. Crucially, you can enjoy this kind of functionality without having to share your login details or password with the third party, making it highly secure as well.

Is Open Banking compulsory?

No. Open Banking has been widely adopted across the industry, but you’re under no obligation to share your details if you don’t want to. In fact, you can only use Open Banking if you give the third-party provider explicit consent to access your data in this way.

What is the difference between Open Banking and digital banking?

Digital banking is banking online or through a digital device. Open Banking is a method of “opening up” your banking information with different parties to offer a streamlined method of money management.

However, you can’t have Open Banking without digital banking; you’ll need to have set up either online or mobile banking to be able to use an Open Banking service.

How does Open Banking work?

First of all, you’ll need to download an app or log into the website of the service you want to use. You’ll then be asked to provide details of the accounts you want to connect – remember, you can choose the accounts you give them access to – after which you’ll normally be directed to your bank to confirm that you want to share the information. Once you’ve given the necessary consent, your bank will give the third party access to your approved data.

What does Open Banking aim to achieve?

Open Banking is designed to ensure greater connection and personalisation of your finances, allowing you to manage your money more easily through a range of third-party apps and services to improve competition in the banking market.

What data am I sharing with Open Banking?

Data that can be shared includes:

  • Account details and features
  • Transaction details
  • Details of regular payments/direct debits etc

Remember, you’re free to decide what information you share and with whom; no one can see it without your permission, and you can withdraw that permission whenever you like.

How safe is my data?

As long as you only deal with,  FCA-authorised providers, your data will be as safe as it is with traditional digital banking.

Open Banking and API technology have been designed with bank-level security that often includes two-factor authentication, and any bank or third-party provider needs to adhere to strict regulations (as set out by the FCA) in order to become authorised to offer this kind of functionality.

You’re backed up with data protection laws, too, and if something slips through the net and fraudulent payments are made through no fault of your own, your bank and building society will reimburse you. You’re also eligible to refer a complaint to  the Financial Ombudsman Service should anything go wrong and your provider doesn’t fix it.  

Who is authorised?

It’s vital to check that the app or service you’re considering using is regulated. You can do this by making sure it’s listed on the  Financial Services Register and the Open Banking website.

Can I withdraw my consent?

Yes. You can withdraw consent at any time, either by going to the app or website and withdrawing consent directly, or by telling your bank or building society that you no longer want the third-party to have access to your information.

What to do if something goes wrong

This depends on the issue you’re facing. If you’ve noticed a payment made from your account that you didn’t authorise, contact your bank or building society immediately to see if it can be returned. If you think your data has been used incorrectly you can contact the company, and if you think you’ve been impersonated or have become a victim of identity theft, report it to your bank and contact Action Fraud.

If you need to make a complaint, you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service if your complaint isn’t dealt with to your satisfaction, or find out what to do if you’re scammed by reading our guide.

Staying safe online tips and guides

It’s vital to be on your guard with any aspect of digital banking, and we’ve got plenty of resources to help you keep your money safe. Find out more about the safest way to bank online, how to protect yourself from scams and, if you’re targeted, how to get your money back, giving you the tools you need to fight fraud before it happens. 

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Open Banking?

There are plenty of benefits to Open Banking, but there are also drawbacks to be aware of as well. Let’s take a look at them.

Benefits

  • More control over your money with the chance to take advantage of a range of different services.
  • You can use it to more effectively budget, save or invest money, or even streamline your payments
  • APIs will be able to analyse your spending habits and advise on products, services and even lifestyle changes that can help meet your financial goals.
  • You can easily manage your money from wherever you are, as by linking all your accounts in a single platform you’ll have a centralised overview of your finances.

Drawbacks

  • It’s still a relatively new technology and many people aren’t comfortable with sharing their data in this way.
  • Fraud can still be a possibility, with the potential for scammers to pose as a third-party service and try to gain access to your data. This is why it’s vital to make sure anyone you deal with is regulated by the FCA.



Benefits

  • More control over your money with the chance to take advantage of a range of different services.
  • You can use it to more effectively budget, save or invest money, or even streamline your payments
  • APIs will be able to analyse your spending habits and advise on products, services and even lifestyle changes that can help meet your financial goals.
  • You can easily manage your money from wherever you are, as by linking all your accounts in a single platform you’ll have a centralised overview of your finances.

Drawbacks

  • It’s still a relatively new technology and many people aren’t comfortable with sharing their data in this way.
  • Fraud can still be a possibility, with the potential for scammers to pose as a third-party service and try to gain access to your data. This is why it’s vital to make sure anyone you deal with is regulated by the FCA.



Benefits

  • More control over your money with the chance to take advantage of a range of different services.
  • You can use it to more effectively budget, save or invest money, or even streamline your payments
  • APIs will be able to analyse your spending habits and advise on products, services and even lifestyle changes that can help meet your financial goals.
  • You can easily manage your money from wherever you are, as by linking all your accounts in a single platform you’ll have a centralised overview of your finances.

Drawbacks

  • It’s still a relatively new technology and many people aren’t comfortable with sharing their data in this way.
  • Fraud can still be a possibility, with the potential for scammers to pose as a third-party service and try to gain access to your data. This is why it’s vital to make sure anyone you deal with is regulated by the FCA.



An example of Open Banking

The functionality you’ll be able to enjoy depends on the service or app you choose. An example could be an app that’s connected to your current account to analyse your spending and suggest suitable products based on your transactions, such as a savings account or credit card.

Alternatively, you might connect all your various accounts to one app so you can get a high-level overview of your finances at any time. You may even be able to benefit from investment advice, budgeting tips and price comparisons, and you’ll often be able to enjoy real-time updates so you’re always in control. Start by checking out some of the best money saving apps currently available to get an idea of what’s out there.

Who can use Open Banking?

The UK’s nine largest banks are required to ensure your data can be made available via Open Banking – provided you give consent, of course – but a large number of smaller banks and building societies are choosing to take part as well.

There are a huge number of regulated third-party providers that offer Open Banking functionality too, all of which means you’re highly likely to be able to use it – speak to your bank or building society if you want to find out more.

Disclaimer: This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfacts will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfacts recommends you obtain independent financial advice.

Open Banking

At a glance

  • Open Banking allows your financial data to be shared with third-party apps and services, helping to facilitate effective budgeting, saving and better financial management overall.
  • You’re in control of who has access to your data and can withdraw consent at any time.
  • Because any data sharing poses additional risk, you need to be confident that the third-party service you’re dealing with is authorised by the FCA.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.