Introduction to NameCheck
Validate payee details in near real-time
What is NameCheck?
The NameCheck API enables businesses to verify whether an account name matches a given BSB and account number before initiating a payment.
As Australia's largest financial institution, CommBank sees over 40% of all domestic payments. This insight has let us create a map of most bank accounts in Australia which is leveraged by NameCheck to validate payee details.
It helps reduce the risk of misdirected payments by providing a match result based on the details entered. This allows businesses to give customers greater confidence that they are sending money to the intended recipient.
NameCheck is typically used as a validation step prior to payment initiation, improving both payment accuracy and user experience.
Have you tried the NameCheck demo?
See NameCheck in action with our interactive demo here.
Key Features & Benefits
NameCheck is designed to improve payment confidence and reduce the risk of mispayments, fraud and scams.
For Businesses
- Reduced misdirected payments by validating account details before payment
- Improved payment success rates by catching errors early
- Enhanced fraud prevention by detecting mismatched account details
- Seamless integration into existing payment flows
- Near real-time responses for immediate feedback
For End-Customers (for external-facing use cases)
- Increased confidence when entering payment details
- Reduced risk of sending money to the wrong account
- Smoother payment experience with fewer errors
How NameCheck Works
NameCheck uses an algorithm that scans a vast database of past payments to and from CommBank accounts. It checks how likely it is that the BSB and account number are associated with the account name entered.
NameCheck fits into the payment journey as a validation step before a payment is made.
Capture Details
The user enters the recipient’s BSB, account number, and account name.
NameCheck Request
NameCheck API sends these details to CommBank for validation.
Match Assessment
Our algorithm scans all different name variations for a recipient account and evaluates whether the account name matches the account details.
Response Returned
A result is returned (e.g. match, close match, or no match), allowing the user to guide the next step.
Validation Outcomes
NameCheck returns several possible outcomes. The API will never block users from proceeding with payment, regardless of the validation result returned. Customers who want to add a control at this point in their payment workflow can implement it themselves.
| NameCheck Outcome | Description |
|---|---|
| Match | The account name you entered seems to match the account |
| Close Match | There’s a different name more commonly used for this account |
| No Match | The account name doesn’t seem to match the account |
| Not Enough Information | We haven’t seen enough payments to indicate if the account details look right |
| Account Does Not Exist | BSB and account number not found |
Where Can NameCheck Be Integrated?
NameCheck is designed to be flexible and easy to embed into existing customer journeys and systems. Because it is API-based, it can be integrated wherever account details are collected or payments are initiated (e.g. ERPs, websites, mobile apps).
We can help you design a solution that will fit your needs and integrate with your existing systems and payment workflows.
Internal-facing use cases
- Supplier validation
- Payroll details validation
- Risk back-end system
- Service team system
External-facing use cases
- Payment page
- Account details provision
- Claims and payouts
Ready to get started?
To begin your integration, explore the detailed guides on sending NameCheck requests and handling match responses.