Connecting your bank account to a budgeting app is a process where your bank — at your request — shares your transaction history with the app in read-only mode. The entire process takes 3 screens and about 90 seconds.
You open the app for the first time. You see the "Connect bank account" button. Your thumb hovers over it for three seconds. Then you close the app. Not because you don't want to see your finances. Because you don't know what happens when you tap it. This article will show you exactly what you'll see on screen — step by step, tap by tap.
Key takeaways
- The 3 Screens Method — pick your bank, log in on your bank's page, approve read-only access. Takes 90 seconds
- Zero passwords shared with the app — you log in directly on your bank's website. The app never sees your credentials
- 76% of Europeans already use mobile banking (EBF, 2025) — the infrastructure for connecting is already on your phone
- Read-only access only — the app cannot make payments, change your password, or do anything beyond reading your transaction history
- Revoke in 1 tap — you can disconnect your bank at any time, from the app settings or your bank
What exactly will you see on screen when you tap 'Connect bank'?
Connecting your bank account through Open Banking is a standardised, EU-regulated process that comes down to three screens. We call it the 3 Screens Method — because that's exactly how many screens you see from tapping "Connect" to the moment your transactions start syncing.
The Martia 3 Screens Method — what is it?
The 3 Screens Method is a simplified model of the bank connection process through Open Banking (PSD2). Each screen is one step: select your bank, log in at your bank, approve read-only access. The entire process takes about 90 seconds and never requires sharing your banking password with the app.
Screen 1: Pick your bank
After tapping "Connect bank account", you'll see a list of banks: N26, Revolut, Monzo, ING, HSBC, Santander, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, and hundreds more. Tap your bank's logo. No forms to fill in, no account numbers to type.
Screen 2: Log in on your bank's page
You're redirected to your bank's official login page. This is the same page you use when logging into online banking. You enter your username and password to your bank — not to the app. The app never sees these credentials. This is the crucial difference: your password goes to your bank, not to us.
Screen 3: Approve read-only access
Your bank asks: "Do you consent to sharing your transaction history?" You tap "Approve" or confirm via your bank's mobile app. Done. From this moment, transactions sync automatically. No manual entry, no file exports. For a deeper technical explanation of how synchronisation works, read our detailed guide to bank account sync.
That's it. 3 screens. About 90 seconds. No forms, no documents, no account numbers to type. If you've ever logged into your bank on your phone — you can connect your account to a budgeting app.
Connecting your bank — by the numbers
Sources: EBF Facts & Figures 2025, GoCardless Bank Account Data
I'm nervous about connecting my bank — is my money safe?
Open Banking is a European standard regulated by the PSD2 directive, under which a financial app never sees your password, can never initiate a payment, and never stores your login credentials — it only sees your transaction history and balances in read-only mode.
We understand the concern. Connecting your bank to anything sounds serious. And it's good that you take it seriously. But most fears come from misunderstandings. Here are the five most common questions we get:
Does the app see my banking password?
No. You log in directly on your bank's website. The app receives a one-time access token from your bank — like a key that opens only one specific door (reading transactions) and expires after 90 days. Your password never leaves your bank's page.
Can someone make a payment from my account?
No. Martia operates as an AISP (Account Information Service Provider) — an official PSD2 category that allows read-only access only. No AISP-licensed app can initiate payments, transfers, or any operations on your account.
What if I change my mind?
Revoking access takes one tap — in the app settings or directly in your bank's security settings. Once revoked, the app immediately loses access to your data. You can also delete your transaction history from the app entirely.
Who regulates this?
In the EU — the European Banking Authority (EBA) and national regulators in each member state. In the UK — the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Martia uses GoCardless, a provider with dual licences: FCA (United Kingdom) and FKTK (Latvia, passported across the EU). According to industry data, over 94% of European banks are PSD2-compliant and actively expose Open Banking APIs.
Is this safer than giving my card number to an online shop?
Yes. When you pay by card online, you share your card number, expiry date, and CVV — data that enables charges. With Open Banking, you share no financial data with anyone other than your own bank. The app cannot charge you, transfer funds, or alter anything. It can only read.
5 fears vs. 5 facts
Fear: "The app will know my password." → Fact: You log in on your bank's page, not the app's.
Fear: "Someone will steal my money." → Fact: AISP = read-only, zero payments.
Fear: "I won't be able to undo it." → Fact: Revoke in 1 tap, at any time.
Fear: "Nobody controls this." → Fact: EBA, FCA, national regulators — multiple layers of oversight.
Fear: "It's less safe than my card." → Fact: Open Banking shares no payment credentials whatsoever.
Ready? 3 screens, 90 seconds, zero passwords shared
Martia uses GoCardless Open Banking — a licensed provider with dual FCA and FKTK authorisation. Read-only access only. Disconnect with one tap, at any time.
Which European bank is easiest to connect — N26, Revolut, Monzo?
All major European banks support Open Banking under PSD2, but they differ in the number of confirmation screens and authorisation method. As of April 2026, here's what connecting looks like with the most popular European banks.
How to connect N26 to a budget app
N26 has one of the fastest authorisation flows in Europe. Select N26 from the list → log in on N26's website → confirm via push notification in the N26 app. The entire process takes about 60 seconds.
How to connect Revolut
Revolut uses in-app confirmation. Select Revolut → log in on Revolut's page → approve via the Revolut app. Clean and fast — about 60 seconds.
How to connect Monzo (UK)
Monzo makes Open Banking straightforward — select Monzo, log in, approve via the Monzo app. Monzo was built with Open Banking from the ground up, so the flow is as smooth as it gets. About 60 seconds.
Traditional banks — ING, HSBC, Santander, BNP Paribas
Traditional banks follow the same 3-screen process but may add an extra confirmation step (SMS code or push notification). Expect 90–120 seconds. The experience varies slightly by country, but the core flow is identical across the EU.
| Bank | Confirmation method | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| N26 | Push in N26 app | ~60 sec |
| Revolut | In-app approval | ~60 sec |
| Monzo | Push in Monzo app | ~60 sec |
| Wise | Push / email | ~90 sec |
| ING | Push in ING app | ~90 sec |
| HSBC | Push / SMS | ~120 sec |
| Santander | Push / SMS | ~120 sec |
| BNP Paribas | Push in mobile app | ~90 sec |
| Commerzbank | Push / photoTAN | ~120 sec |
Don't see your bank? Check our full guide to bank account sync and Open Banking. PSD2 requires all EU banks to support Open Banking, so chances are high your bank is covered — GoCardless connects to over 2,200 institutions.
Open Banking, CSV, manual entry — comparing transaction import methods
A transaction import method is the way your banking data reaches your budgeting app — from fully automatic Open Banking to manually typing every amount. Your choice of method determines how much time you spend on budgeting and how long you'll stick with the habit.
| Feature | Open Banking | CSV import | Manual entry | Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automation | Full | Partial | None | None |
| Setup time | 90 seconds | 5–10 min/month | N/A | 30–60 min |
| Monthly effort | 0 min | 10–15 min | 2–4 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Categorisation | Automatic (AI) | Requires mapping | Manual | Manual |
| Data freshness | Real-time | 1–7 day delay | 0–7 day delay | 1–7 day delay |
| Security | PSD2 + SCA | File on disk | N/A | File on disk/cloud |
| Best for | Anyone with an EU bank | Technical users | Very dedicated people | Spreadsheet enthusiasts |
Let's be honest — manual entry and spreadsheets work. But they require a level of discipline that most people cannot sustain beyond a month. Open Banking removes that barrier entirely: after a one-time connection, data flows on its own. If you're weighing up an app versus a spreadsheet, read our comparison of budget apps and spreadsheets.
Myth vs. reality
Myth: "A spreadsheet gives me full control over my finances."
Reality: A spreadsheet gives you control over the format. But to have data worth analysing, you first need to enter it. It's estimated that over half of people who start budgeting in a spreadsheet abandon it within 4–6 weeks — because manually entering every transaction is daily work.
I can't connect my bank — what should I do?
The most common issues with bank connections are expired browser sessions, missing push notifications, or temporary bank API downtime. None of them mean your data has been compromised or your account is at risk.
The bank asks for confirmation, but I don't see a push notification
Make sure push notifications are enabled for your banking app. Open the banking app — sometimes the notification is waiting in an "Authorisations" or "Pending approvals" section. If that doesn't work, close and reopen the banking app. As a last resort, start the connection process again from scratch.
The connection expired after 90 days — now what?
This is normal — PSD2 requires re-authorisation every 90 days. It's an additional security measure, not a bug. The reconnection process is identical: 3 screens, 90 seconds. The app will notify you a few days before expiry.
Some transactions are missing — why can't I see everything?
Open Banking provides transaction history from the last 90 days (a PSD2 requirement). Older transactions won't be imported. Pending transactions (e.g. hotel card holds) may appear with a delay — that depends on your bank, not the app.
My bank isn't on the list — what can I do?
If your bank doesn't appear (rare — GoCardless supports 2,200+ institutions), you can import transactions via CSV. Log in to your online banking, export a statement in CSV format, and import it into the app. It requires more effort, but works with any bank.
I connected my bank and want to disconnect — how?
Two ways: (1) in Martia settings, tap "Disconnect" next to the bank, (2) in your online banking, go to security settings → "Third-party access" or "Connected services" and revoke consent. The effect is immediate.
Still not sure? Start without connecting your bank
Martia also works without bank sync — you can import CSV files or enter transactions manually. But most people who try Open Banking stick with it permanently. Because there's nothing to be afraid of.
What happens after connecting? Your first week with data
The first 7 days after connecting your bank account is when the app imports your transaction history, categorises your spending, and builds your financial profile — without any effort on your part. Here's what to expect:
Day 1: Transactions appear automatically
Within minutes of connecting, you'll see your recent transaction history. Every transaction with amount, date, and merchant name. No typing required. This is the moment most people say: "Wait, I spent that much on food delivery?"
Day 2–3: AI categorisation sorts your spending
The algorithm automatically assigns transactions to categories: food, transport, bills, entertainment, shopping. No configuration needed — it works out of the box. Want to know how it works under the hood? Read about automatic expense categorisation.
Week 1: Your first complete financial picture
After a week, you have a clear view: how much you earn, how much you spend, what you spend it on, and what's left. No spreadsheets. No manual entry. No receipt hoarding. Just data — clear and current.
What's next? You have the data. Now you can start making decisions. Read our complete guide to controlling your household budget or start with something simpler: how to get your finances together — a starter pack.
Adam, założyciel Martia
From the founder
I had 6 bank accounts and zero control. I didn't know how much I had. I didn't know how much I spent. I checked my balance once a month and was surprised every time. The moment I first saw all my accounts in one dashboard changed everything. Not because the app told me what to do — but because I could finally see the truth. That's it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect my bank account to a budget app?
Connecting your bank account to a budget app requires 3 screens: (1) select your bank from a list, (2) log in on your bank's official page, (3) approve read-only access to your transactions. The entire process takes about 90 seconds. You enter your password on your bank's website, never in the app.
Can I automatically import transactions from my bank?
Yes, through Open Banking (PSD2). After a one-time connection, your transactions sync automatically — no CSV exports, no manual entry. Martia pulls your transaction history and categorises spending automatically using AI.
How do I connect N26 or Revolut to a budget app?
In Martia, select N26 or Revolut from the bank list. You will be redirected to their official login page. Log in and approve read-only access. N26 and Revolut have some of the fastest authorisation flows in Europe — typically under 60 seconds.
Is connecting my bank account to an app safe?
Yes. Open Banking (PSD2) means the app only gets read-only access to your transactions and balances. It never sees your password, cannot make payments, and does not store your login credentials. This is regulated by the EBA across the EU and the FCA in the UK. Martia uses GoCardless, a licensed provider with dual FCA and FKTK authorisation.
What happens if I want to disconnect my bank from the app?
You can revoke access at any time — one click in the app settings or directly in your bank's security settings. Once revoked, the app immediately loses access to your data. You can also delete your transaction history from the app.
Why does the bank connection expire every 90 days?
PSD2 requires re-authorisation every 90 days as an additional security measure. This ensures you remain in full control of who accesses your data. Reconnecting is identical to the first time: 3 screens, 90 seconds.
Does Open Banking work with all European banks?
PSD2 requires all EU banks to provide Open Banking APIs. This covers major institutions like N26, Revolut, Monzo, ING, HSBC, Santander, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, and hundreds more. GoCardless connects to over 2,200 financial institutions across Europe.
Sources
- European Banking Federation (2025), EBF Facts & Figures 2025, ebf.eu
- GoCardless (2026), Bank Account Data — service overview, gocardless.com
- European Parliament / Council of the EU (2015), PSD2 Directive (2015/2366) — Open Banking regulation, 90-day re-authorisation requirement and AISP standard, eur-lex.europa.eu
- Konsentus (2025), Q3 TPP Open Banking Tracker — 537 authorised TPPs, 94% bank PSD2 compliance, konsentus.com
Read more
Bank Account Sync with an App →
How bank sync works technically, PSD2 security, and Open Banking explained.
Automatic Expense Categorisation →
How AI sorts your transactions into categories — and why it changes everything.
How to Control Your Household Budget — Complete Guide →
What to do after connecting — practical methods to control your budget.
How to Get Your Finances Together — Starter Pack →
From zero to full control — a complete guide to personal finance.
Budget App vs Spreadsheet →
Comparing apps and spreadsheets for household budgeting.