> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.commenda.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Bank accounts

> Link and manage bank accounts for your business entities.

Each entity in Commenda can have one or more bank accounts linked for financial data visibility and transaction tracking.

## Connecting a bank account via Plaid

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to your entity">
    Navigate to **Entities** and select the entity whose bank account you want to connect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Bank Accounts tab">
    In the entity details page, click the **Bank Accounts** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add Bank Account">
    Click the **Add Bank Account** button. You'll be guided through Plaid's secure connection flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your bank">
    Search for your bank and sign in with your banking credentials. Plaid handles the authentication securely.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose accounts">
    Select which accounts to connect (checking, savings, etc.).
  </Step>
</Steps>

Once connected, Commenda can access:

* **Account balances** — current balance information
* **Transactions** — transaction history for reconciliation and tax purposes
* **Account details** — account type and institution information

<Info>
  Plaid supports thousands of financial institutions. If your bank isn't available, manual entry is always an option.
</Info>

## Manual entry

If your bank isn't available through Plaid, you can manually enter account details. The form adapts based on the country you select, so you only see fields relevant to your bank's location.

**Fields required for all countries:**

* **Bank name** — the full name of your financial institution
* **Account holder name** — the legal name on the account (should match your entity name)
* **Country** — the country where your bank account is held
* **Currency** — the account currency (USD, EUR, GBP, INR, etc.)

**Country-specific fields** appear after you select a country. For example:

* **US accounts** — routing number and account number
* **Indian accounts** — IFSC code and account number
* **UK accounts** — sort code and account number
* **Canadian accounts** — transit number, institution number, and account number
* **EU accounts** — IBAN (and optionally SWIFT/BIC)

<Tip>
  Double-check your account and routing numbers before saving. Incorrect numbers can cause payment failures.
</Tip>

## Managing bank accounts

From an entity's Bank Accounts tab, you can:

* **Set a primary account** — designate one account as the default for transactions and payments. Only one account can be primary at a time.
* **Edit account details** — update bank name, account holder name, account type, currency, credentials, or primary status
* **View account details** — see masked account number (last 4 digits), routing information, account type, country, currency, and date added
* **Remove an account** — disconnect or delete a bank account from the entity

<Warning>
  You cannot edit the account number or routing number after creation. If these need to change, add a new account with the correct information and delete the old one.
</Warning>

## Security

Bank connections through Plaid use bank-level encryption. Commenda never stores your banking login credentials. For manually entered accounts, account numbers are masked in the dashboard and only show the last 4 digits. You can disconnect your account at any time.

## Troubleshooting

### I can't save my bank account

**Common causes:**

* Missing required fields (bank name, account holder name, country, and the country-specific fields shown in the form)
* Invalid format for country-specific fields (e.g., routing number must be 9 digits for US banks, IFSC code must be 11 characters for Indian banks)
* Account number contains invalid characters

**Solution:** Check that all required fields are filled and formatted correctly. The form validates fields based on the country you selected.

### I need to change my account number

You cannot edit account or routing numbers after creation. Add a new bank account with the correct information, set it as primary if needed, then delete the old account.

### The primary account won't change

Check that you have permission to edit bank accounts, the new account is fully saved, and you're clicking **Save** after making changes.

## Best practices

* **Keep information current** — update bank details immediately when accounts change
* **Verify before saving** — always double-check account and routing numbers
* **Set a primary account** — designate one account as primary for streamlined operations
* **Match legal names** — use the exact legal name registered with your bank to avoid payment issues