Understanding bank feeds for business
Connecting your Westpac business accounts to Xero allows your transaction data to flow directly into your accounting software. This automation significantly reduces the time spent on manual data entry and helps ensure your financial records remain up to date, which is crucial for accurate bookkeeping and cash flow management.
The connection process is established through a secure link between the bank’s systems and Xero. Because this involves sharing financial data, you will typically need to have administrative access to both your Westpac business banking profile and your Xero organization. Following the correct steps ensures the data connection remains stable and secure.
Account access at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Access methods | Xero dashboard or Westpac Business Online Banking |
| Processing time | Setup is immediate; data feed activation typically takes a few business days |
| Eligibility | Business and commercial account holders |
| Key requirements | Administrative access to Westpac and Xero, registered mobile number |
To connect the account a customer should:
- log in to Westpac Online Banking
- click on Service - Services
- tap on Bank fields in Account services
- select the accounts
- choose the third-party service provider and Accounting Organization Name
- enter the email used to login
- press Connect Feed
Troubleshooting common issues
Technical hurdles occasionally occur during the handshake between banking and accounting platforms. Here is how to navigate them.
- MFA or Login issues: If you cannot complete the authorization because the SMS code isn't arriving, ensure your mobile signal is stable and your contact details in Business Online Banking are current. If you remain stuck, call the Westpac business support line to ensure your profile has the necessary permissions to authorize third-party data sharing.
- Browser or app errors: If the redirect fails or the page goes blank, try clearing your browser's cookies and cache. Sometimes, ad-blockers or strict security settings in your browser can interrupt the redirect process. Using a different browser often resolves this immediately.
- Locked account or access: If the connection fails because your business account permissions are insufficient, the issue lies in your Westpac user settings. You may need an administrator or director to adjust your digital banking authority level to allow for "third-party data sharing." Contact your branch or relationship manager if you are unsure of your current authority level.
Pro-Tip: Check your digital banking permissions *before* you start the connection process. Many Westpac business accounts have tiered authorization levels; if your user profile is restricted, the connection will fail regardless of your login credentials. Confirming you have 'Full Authority' access saves you the frustration of mid-setup errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my bank feed missing recent transactions?
Bank feeds typically update once per day, usually overnight. If you have made a transaction today, it may not appear in Xero until the following business day. If transactions from several days ago are missing, check your Westpac online banking first to ensure they have actually cleared. If the transactions have cleared but are still not appearing, your next step is to log into Xero, go to your bank feed settings, and click "Refresh" or wait 24 hours to see if the feed reconciles itself.
How do I disconnect or refresh a broken feed?
Feeds can sometimes break due to changes in banking security certificates or expired authorizations. If you see an error message in Xero, the most effective action is to disconnect the feed and set it up again. This forces a new secure handshake between the two platforms. Your next step is to log into Xero, remove the existing bank feed for that account, and follow the connection guide above to re-authorize the link.
