How to Add a Bank Feed Connection in LedgerSync

How to Add a Bank Feed Connection in LedgerSync

Overview

When you click Add Bank Connection in LedgerSync, you will see a screen asking: "What information would you like to aggregate?"

There are five connection options. This article explains each one — when to use it, what it fetches, and how to connect.

[Screenshot: Connection type picker — Mastercard, Premium, MX, Mercury, PDF]

Account owner access is required. All connection types require the primary account holder's login credentials — not accountant or read-only access. If the client needs to connect themselves, see Four Methods to Invite a Client to Add Banks.

Connection 1: Statements and Transactions via Mastercard API

What it fetches

  • Bank statements (PDF)
  • Transactions

When to use it

This is the default and most widely supported connection. Always try Mastercard first for any US bank. It provides the most reliable, automated statement and transaction feed across thousands of US financial institutions.

How to connect

  1. Click Add Bank Connection on the client's Bank Account Summary page.
  2. Select Statements and Transactions — Using Mastercard API.
  3. Search for the bank by name.
  4. Enter the client's bank username and password.
  5. Complete any MFA or token code prompt.

[Screenshot: Mastercard bank search — Capital One search result, secured by Mastercard footer]

If your bank does not appear in Mastercard search results, try MX next. If MX does not support it either, use Premium Bank Connections.

Connection 2: MX — Statements and Transactions (Beta)

What it fetches

  • Bank statements (where supported)
  • Transactions
  • Canadian bank transactions

When to use it

Use MX when the bank is not found in Mastercard, Mastercard is failing to connect, or you need to connect a Canadian bank for transactions. MX is currently in Beta. The rule: try Mastercard first, use MX as the fallback.

MX and Mastercard are independent data providers. Having both connected for the same bank is beneficial — LedgerSync cross-checks both feeds in the Bank Reconciliation Tool to give you higher confidence in your data.

How to connect

  1. Click Add Bank Connection on the client's Bank Account Summary page.
  2. Select the MX tile (labeled "In Beta Test Mode").
  3. Search for the bank by name in the MX search box.
  4. Enter the client's bank username and password.
  5. Complete any MFA prompt.

[Screenshot: MX bank search — Capital One search with MX logo and "Add Bank Statements and Transactions using your User ID/Password" label]

Connection 3: Premium Bank Connections

What it fetches

  • Check images
  • Deposit images
  • Supplementary statements for banks not supported by Mastercard or MX

When to use it

Use Premium when you need check and deposit images — this is the only connection type that provides them. Also use Premium when the bank is not supported by Mastercard or MX for statements, or when those connections are being blocked by the bank's security systems.

Premium connections use the LedgerSync Desktop App to route the connection through a trusted local or hosted environment, improving reliability especially for banks that block cloud IP addresses.

How to connect

  1. Click Add Bank Connection on the client's Bank Account Summary page.
  2. Select Premium Bank Connections — Using LedgerSync.
  3. The LedgerSync Desktop App will launch (or prompt you to install it if not yet installed).
  4. Search for the bank, enter credentials, and follow the wizard.
Premium Bank Connections require the LedgerSync Desktop App to be installed and running, and you must be physically located in the United States. See Desktop App Download and Install Guide.

Connection 4: Mercury

What it fetches

  • Transactions via direct Mercury API
  • Account balances

When to use it

Use this if your client banks with Mercury Bank. Mercury has a direct API integration with LedgerSync providing a seamless, stable connection without manual credential entry. LedgerSync endorses Mercury as the preferred small business banking partner. Not yet with Mercury? The connection picker includes a Register here link to open an account.

Connection 5: PDF Upload

What it fetches

  • Transactions extracted from uploaded bank statement PDFs

When to use it

Use PDF upload when no live connection is available, the client can only provide downloaded PDF statements, or you need a one-time historical import. LedgerSync extracts transactions automatically using OCR and you can export to Excel, CSV, QBO, or OFX.

Quick Reference — Which Connection to Use

What you needConnection to use
Statements and transactions for a US bankMastercard (try first)
Bank not found in Mastercard, or Canadian bankMX
Check or deposit imagesPremium Bank Connections
Bank not supported by Mastercard or MXPremium Bank Connections
Mercury Bank clientMercury
Client has PDF statements onlyPDF Upload

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Need Help?

Contact us at support@ledgersync.com.

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