PSD2: API Documentation Available

By Guido van der Laan & Koen Adolfs

Today we are publishing the documentation of the Account Information and Payment Initiation APIs. Now, you can start developing using our documentation. The sandbox will be available in February or March.

If you register your application, we will let you know once the sandbox is live. Access to production can be requested when the PSD2 legislation has become effective.

PSD2 Explained

A number of changes will take place in the area of payment services. These changes relate to a new European directive PSD2 (Payment Services Directive). One of the main objectives of PSD2 is to boost competition and innovation in the area of payment services.

The most significant change for ABN AMRO customers is that they will be able to give licensed third parties access to their current accounts. For the customer, this will enhance convenience or create new experiences.

Alongside banks, other companies and organisations will be able to access account information and initiate payment services. This can only be done with permission of the customer.

Please note that when you require access as a third party service provider to ABN AMRO accounts, you need a PSD2 license from a local competent authority. In the Netherlands, this is ‘De Nederlandsche Bank’ (DNB). If you require access to accounts in other countries, you need a license in that country as well.

Account Information

Do your customers want to have aggregated financial information or an overview of their balances from accounts held at different banks? Then Account Information is the API you need to build an application or website which solves problems like these for your customers.

With the Account Information API you can:

• Automatically retrieve transactions and balance information
• Create remarkable client experiences
• Provide valuable insights to your users
• Reduce manual steps needed for data gathering processes

Payment Initiation

Do your customers want to initiate payments from your application or do they want to use one bank application for several banks? Then Payment Initiation is the API you need to build an application or website which solves problems like these for your customers.

With the Payment Initiation API you can:

• Send in payment instructions directly from your application or website
• Create remarkable client experiences
• Reduce manual steps needed for payment processes

Confirmation on the Availability of Funds

Do your customers want to verify if a certain amount is available on a bank account when a card-based payment transaction is initiated? Then Account Information is the API you need to build an application or website which solves a problem like this for your customers.

We are looking forward to seeing what you create!

About the authors:

Guido van der Laan, Product Owner PSD2 & Corporate Banking APIs
Guido has a passion for developing new products. As Product Owner, his goal is twofold: to maximise client value and minimise time-to-market. He and his team deliver innovative solutions that meet clients’ needs — not only for PSD2, but also for ABN AMRO Corporate Banking. He is looking forward to working with developers on new propositions based on his team’s APIs.

Koen Adolfs, Product Owner Open Banking
Over the course of his career, Koen has developed a taste for change, strategy and digital innovation. After focusing on the Internet and Mobile, he started specialising in APIs when PSD2 was in the make. As the Product Owner for Open Banking, Koen and his team are responsible for ABN AMRO’s API platform, supporting the business lines in formulating their vision and enlarging the developer community.