How bank connections work
FinTagger uses Akahu to securely connect to supported bank accounts. Current live bank coverage is focused on New Zealand institutions, and Akahu enables secure, read-only access to that bank data.
When you connect your bank, you authenticate directly with your bank — we never see or store your banking credentials.
Security at a glance
Read-Only Access
We can only view your transactions and balances. We cannot move money or make payments.
Credentials Stay Private
Your bank login is never shared with us. You authenticate directly with your bank.
Instant Disconnect
Revoke access at any time with one click. Connection tokens are immediately deleted.
Encrypted Storage
Connection tokens are encrypted with AES-256 at rest.
What is Akahu?
Akahu is a New Zealand open finance platform. They provide secure, regulated access to bank account data for apps like FinTagger.
Akahu is used by many trusted New Zealand companies and financial services. They maintain direct relationships with banks and follow strict security protocols.
Learn more: Akahu Security · Akahu Privacy Policy
Supported banks
FinTagger currently supports major New Zealand banks through Akahu, with broader regional coverage planned over time:
Additional banks and financial institutions may be available. Check within the app when connecting.
How connection works
- 1
Click "Connect Bank" in Settings
Navigate to Settings in the FinTagger app and click the Connect Bank button.
- 2
Choose Your Bank
You'll be redirected to Akahu where you can select your bank from the list.
- 3
Login to Your Bank
Enter your banking credentials directly on your bank's secure login page. FinTagger never sees this.
- 4
Select Accounts
Choose which accounts you want to connect. You can select all or just specific ones.
- 5
Start Tracking
Your transactions are automatically imported. Tag them, track recurring payments, and gain insights.
What data we access
We CAN access:
- Account names and types (e.g., "Everyday Account", "Savings")
- Account balances (current balance)
- Transaction history (date, amount, description, merchant)
- Transaction categories (where available from your bank)
We CANNOT access:
- Your bank login credentials (username/password)
- Credit card PINs or CVV numbers
- The ability to make payments or transfers
- The ability to change your account settings
Important: Our access is strictly read-only. We use the data solely to display your transactions and provide budgeting insights within FinTagger.
Disconnecting your bank
You can disconnect your bank at any time from the Settings page in FinTagger:
- Go to Settings in the FinTagger app
- Find the "Bank Connection" section
- Click "Disconnect" next to your connected bank
When you disconnect, we immediately delete the connection tokens. Your imported transaction history remains in your account, but no new transactions will be imported.
Data refresh
Transactions are automatically synced on a regular schedule to keep your data up to date. You can also manually refresh your transactions at any time from the app.
Note: Some banks may have slight delays in transaction availability. Recent pending transactions may not appear immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to connect my bank?
Yes. Bank connections use Akahu, a trusted open finance provider for current New Zealand bank support. Your login credentials are never shared with us, and we only have read-only access to your transaction data.
Can FinTagger move my money?
No, absolutely not. We only request read-only permissions. We cannot initiate payments, transfers, or any changes to your accounts.
What if my bank isn't supported?
If your bank isn't listed, you can still use FinTagger with manual transaction entry. Akahu is continually adding support for more institutions.
Will my bank know I'm using FinTagger?
Your bank may see that you've authorised access through Akahu. This is similar to connecting other financial apps and is a normal, secure process.
What happens if I delete my account?
If you delete your FinTagger account, all your data including bank connections, transactions, and tags are permanently deleted. We also revoke the bank connection through Akahu.
Questions?
If you have questions about bank connections or data security, please contact us at [email protected].