Bank Account Validation

Overview

Bank Account Validation is a web service that uses an algorithm to validate the bank account number, branch code, and account type combination. Any software that allows for the capture of bank account details should use this web service as it ensures valid data is sent to Netcash will enhance the success of transactions processed. This service does not verify that the account is active or belongs to the individual or company (Bank Account Verification).

We recommend that Universal Branch Codes are used for the validation to be optimized.

A Check Digit Verification / Modulus check is performed using a combination of the bank account number, account type, and branch code.
It is an algorithm supplied to Netcash and continuously updated by the banking system.
This does not guarantee the validity or existence of the account number at any bank or branch, the account holder -or if the account is active.

Technical Information

NIWS_Validation is an online, synchronous web service that allows an external system to request validation and receive an immediate response.

NB! This service permits a single request per web service call. For bulk file requests click here

From your application call:

Method: GetBankListWithDefaultBranchCode
Service key: Account Service Key
Web service: https://ws.netcash.co.za/NIWS/niws_validation.svc
Method: ValidateBankAccount
Service key: Account Service Key

Participating Banks and Universal Branch Codes

Most banks make use of Universal Branch Codes (UBC) also known as Central Branch Codes (CBC)

It is always advisable to use the UBC when storing data unless a bank does not offer UBC

Recommended User Experience

1. Call the web service with method GetBankListWithDefaultBranchCode
   or
2. Manually create a table in the application database with the bank branches and codes as indicated above.

The suggested method is to create a user experience whereby the user will

• Select a bank in a  “Drop down” menu and prefill branch code text box and
• Manually enter a branch code that is not a CBC.
• If the bank required is not in the dropdown – user to select “other bank” and type the six (6) digit numeric branch code in the text box. Left-pad the input with “0” where data entered is less than 6 chars.
• For all items above default account type in the database to 1 (cheque/current) except
  • for Nedbank
    • If a Nedbank account number starts with ‘2’ make type 2 (savings) else
    • If Nedbank account number starts with ‘1’ leave type 1 and
    • If a Nedbank account number starts with ‘9’/or is a Corporate Saver Account; make the account type 2 (savings) and only use branch code 720026.
  • for Postbank / Capitec / TymeBank
    
    • Always use account type “2” (savings) for all Postbank, Capitec and TymeBank transactions

All non-listed (above) banks – user to select the actual account type (1 = Current/Cheque, 2 = Savings)

NIWS_Validation is an online, synchronous web service that allows an external system to request validation and receive an immediate response. This service permits only a single request per web service call.

The Service

Examples

Validating Bank Account Information

public ValidateBankAccount(string ServiceKey, string AccountNumber,
                           string BranchCode, string AccountType) {
  // initialise client
  NIWS_Validation.NIWS_ValidationClient client =
      new NIWS_Validation.NIWS_ValidationClient();
  // call the ValidateBankAccount method equal to a string variable
  string Request = client.ValidateBankAccount(ServiceKey, AccountNumber,
                                              BranchCode, AccountType);
  // close client after response is received
  client.Close();
  // convert response received for request
  int response = Convert.ToInt32(Request);
  // if 0 save to system or do something else
  switch (response) {
    case 0:  // do something
      break;
    case 1:  // do something
      break;
    case 2:  // do something
      break;
    case 3:  // do something
      break;
    case 4:  // do something
      break;
    case 100:  // do something
      break;
    default:
      Web service error contact support @netcash.co.za ";
          break;
  }
}

Getting Bank with Branch Code

private void GetBankListWithDefaultBranchCode(string ServiceKey)

{
  // initialise client

  NIWS_Validation.NIWS_ValidationClient client =
      new NIWS_Validation.NIWS_ValidationClient();

  // call the GetBankListWithDefaultBranchCode method equal to a string variable

  string BankListResult = client.GetBankListWithDefaultBranchCode(ServiceKey);

  // do something with xml file

  // for example

  File.WriteAllText("BankList.xml", BankListResult);

  XmlDocument XmlDoc = new XmlDocument();

  XmlDoc.Load("BankList.xml");

  XmlElement XmlEl = XmlDoc.DocumentElement;

  XmlNodeList XmlNode = XmlEl.SelectNodes("/BankListResponse/BankList/Bank");

  foreach (XmlNode node in XmlNode)

  {
    // loop through file
  }
}

Output

You will receive the following numeric code which you need to replace with the description in your application.