Account verification (also called account enquiry or name lookup) confirms that a bank account exists and returns the account holder’s name. This is an essential step before initiating any transfer.
Why Verify Accounts?
Verifying accounts before transfers:
- Prevents errors — Catches typos in account numbers before money is sent
- Confirms identity — Shows the recipient’s name for user confirmation
- Reduces disputes — Users can verify they’re sending to the right person
- Saves costs — Failed transfers due to invalid accounts still incur fees
Always verify accounts and show the account holder’s name to your user before initiating a transfer. This simple step prevents most transfer errors.
How It Works
Send the account number and bank code, and Glyde returns the account holder’s name:
GET /v1/account-enquiry?account_number=0264341458&bank_code=058
| Parameter | Description |
|---|
account_number | The 10-digit bank account number |
bank_code | The bank’s unique code (from /v1/banks) |
Successful Response
{
"status": "success",
"message": "Account retrieved",
"data": {
"bank_name": "GTBank",
"account_name": "John Doe",
"account_number": "0264341458"
}
}
Failed Verification
If the account doesn’t exist or details are incorrect:
{
"status": "failed",
"message": "Account name enquiry failed"
}
Getting Bank Codes
Bank codes are required for verification. Fetch the list of supported banks:
{
"status": "success",
"data": [
{ "name": "Access Bank", "code": "044" },
{ "name": "First Bank", "code": "011" },
{ "name": "GTBank", "code": "058" },
{ "name": "UBA", "code": "033" },
{ "name": "Zenith Bank", "code": "057" }
]
}
Integration Pattern
Here’s the recommended flow for a “send money” feature:
User Enters Details
Collect the account number and bank (from a dropdown of supported banks).
Verify Account
Call /v1/account-enquiry with the details.
Display Account Name
Show the returned account_name and ask the user to confirm this is the intended recipient.
User Confirms
Only proceed to transfer after explicit confirmation.
Initiate Transfer
Call /v1/transfer/initiate with the verified details.
Common Issues
Invalid Account Number
Account numbers in Nigeria are exactly 10 digits. If verification fails:
- Check for typos or extra/missing digits
- Confirm the account number with the recipient
- Verify the correct bank is selected
Wrong Bank Selected
An account number is only valid at one bank. If the user selects the wrong bank, verification will fail even if the account exists elsewhere.
Timeout or Network Error
Bank verification involves real-time communication with banks. Occasionally, a bank’s systems may be slow or unavailable. Implement retry logic with appropriate user feedback.
Rate Limits
Account verification queries external bank systems and may be rate-limited. Avoid verifying the same account repeatedly in quick succession. Consider caching successful verifications briefly if users might retry the same details. 
