EISCD API
Pull the complete UK sort code directory - or just the weekly changes - straight into your systems via a RESTful API. Over 20,000 sort codes, updated every Friday, as an official EISCD authorised distributor.
What You Get From the API
Full base file endpoints
Get the current EISCD snapshot in the format your systems need. We can provide TXT, CSV, XML and XLSX files.
Weekly delta endpoint
Our delta endpoint returns only what changed since the previous week, with each record flagged NEW, UPDATED, or DELETED.
Simple API key authentication
Every request is authorised with a single X-API-KEY HTTP header - no OAuth flow, no token refresh to manage.
Data straight from the source
Mintly is a VocaLink authorised distributor, so every file we serve traces directly back to the official EISCD release.
Integrate in Minutes
A single REST call downloads the full dataset or a weekly delta. Pick your language and copy the example.
The API is fully RESTful with an OpenAPI 3.0 specification - importable straight into Postman or Insomnia. See the API docs for the full reference.
API Features
Everything a developer needs to pull EISCD data into their own systems and keep it current.
Full snapshot formats
TXT, CSV, XML, or XLSX — pick the format that fits your pipeline
Weekly delta endpoint
NEW / UPDATED / DELETED changes only, no need to re-download the full file
Update schedule
New files published every Friday from 12:00 GMT, valid from the following Monday
UK coverage
100% of registered UK sort codes, 20,000+ branches
Authentication
API key via HTTP header
Format
REST over HTTPS, application/zip and application/octet-stream responses
Specification
OpenAPI 3.0 — importable into Postman, Insomnia
Data provenance
VocaLink/Pay.UK authorised distributor — direct chain to the source
AI Agent Skill
Downloadable skill for Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor, Codex, and Gemini CLI
Simple, Flat-Rate Licensing
One annual licence, unlimited use across your organisation* - no per-request metering to worry about.
EISCD Data File
Buy the Extended Industry Sort Code Directory (EISCD) data file and get weekly updates. Ideal if you want to process your own data files and have complete control. The EISCD contains sort code data for all UK and Northern Ireland finance institutions.
Over 20,000 bank branches with sort codes, address and contact data
Contains payment scheme participation for BACS, Faster Payments, ICS and CHAPS for each sort code.
Updated weekly. Get the whole file, or just the weekly changes.
Secure download or access via API.
Available in CSV, TXT, XLSX or XML format.
Single site licence allows use at one site.
* Important Licensing Information
EISCD licensing allows use throughout your entire organisation. The whole organisation must access the same original copy - redistribution to separate entities isn't permitted. See our EISCD Terms & Conditions for full details.
Built for Production. Trusted by UK Businesses.
- VocaLink Authorised Distributor - direct data provenance chain to VocaLink, the operator of the EISCD
- Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud 14 Lot 2 supplier - available to UK public sector without a separate procurement process
- Cyber Essentials certified - NCSC-accredited baseline security certification
- GDPR compliant & UK data residency - data processed and stored within the United Kingdom
- Cloud hosted, 24/7/365 availability - download or access via API anytime, no maintenance required on your end
Mintly is built to meet the security and compliance requirements of enterprise procurement teams.
Need account-level validation too? Our Bank Account Validation API combines this same EISCD data with modulus checking to validate sort codes and account numbers in real time.
Common Use Cases
The EISCD API fits anywhere your systems need authoritative UK sort code data, not just a one-off lookup.
Seeding a local sort code database
Pull the full eiscd-csv.zip or eiscd-text.zip snapshot to populate your own database, rather than maintaining a manual spreadsheet that quickly goes stale.
Keeping a mirror in sync
Schedule a Friday job against the delta endpoint to apply only the NEW, UPDATED, and DELETED records each week, instead of re-downloading and re-importing the entire file.
Payment scheme routing
Each EISCD record includes BACS, CHAPS, and Faster Payments participation for the branch, so you can route or reject payments to the correct scheme before submission.
AI-assisted integration
Download the EISCD Agent Skill from the API docs page to get Claude, Copilot, or Cursor to write your sync script, parse delta files, or schedule the weekly job for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a sandbox environment for the EISCD API?
No. The EISCD API only has a production environment - there is no sandbox. All requests are made against live, current EISCD data. We can provide a test environment for Proof of Concept that serves dummy data.
How current is the EISCD data?
New EISCD files are published every Friday from 12:00 GMT, and the data is valid from the following Monday. As a VocaLink authorised distributor, Mintly ingests each release as it is issued.
What's the difference between the base file and the delta endpoint?
The base file endpoints return the complete, current EISCD snapshot. The delta endpoint returns only the changes since the previous week, with each record flagged NEW, UPDATED, or DELETED - ideal for keeping a local mirror in sync without re-downloading the full file every week.
What formats does the API support?
The full EISCD snapshot is available as TXT (tab-delimited), CSV, XML, or XLSX. Weekly delta files are available in tab-delimited TXT format only.
Can multiple people at my organisation use the EISCD?
Yes. EISCD licensing covers your whole organisation on a single-site basis - you are permitted to load the EISCD data into multiple systems at the same site. Redistribution to separate legal entities isn't permitted. See our EISCD Terms & Conditions for full details.
Does the EISCD API validate individual bank accounts?
No. The EISCD API delivers the sort code directory itself - bank names, branch addresses, and payment scheme participation. If you need to validate specific sort codes and account numbers in real time, including modulus checking, use the Bank Account Validation API instead.
Start Integrating the EISCD API Today
One flat annual licence covers your whole organisation. Get an API key and start pulling data in minutes.
Authorised distributor • Weekly updates • Multiple formats • Questions? Contact us.