---
title: "Create an Account for a Business"
slug: "open-a-payment-account"
updated: 2026-07-09T15:09:30Z
published: 2026-07-09T15:09:30Z
canonical: "www.documentation.paynetics.digital/open-a-payment-account"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.documentation.paynetics.digital/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an Account for a Business

Ask Plamen + API Guide

As we created a new business previously and we received unique merchant token, we can proceed to open an account for the business. This is done by account_create API request.

We will now proceed to open an account for the business

### Utilization of the API:

For this use case, you will need to use the **account_create request.** Depending on what your configuration is in the Paynetics`s system, there are different options for the accounts you can create. **For full API specification and example of the request check the following URL -** [Paynetics API documentation](https://developers.paynetics.digital/#accounts)

#### Example request:

```json
{
   "program": "account_eur", 
   "merchant": "242d993a-be0e-461d-b9e4-7c84b8bfff4f", // we fill in the merchant token so that we point out under which business we want the account to be created
   "user": "", // as we do not want the account to be opened under a specific user field should be left empty
   "main": "", // as we will not be linking this account, field main should be left empty
   "skip_iban_generation": false, // in this case we want the account to have an IBAN too, so we keep the value "false"
   "alias": "Company expenses" // With this alias the company can easily see what is this account used for
}
```

Now that we have sent the request to open an account, Payntics system will check the configured account program parameters and whatever else was placed in the request, to fulfil it.

It is important to take notice of the account program field. The account program holds the information on how this account will be opened and operated – currency, IBAN generation and more. You can have multiple account programs active, but only one is selected when you open an account.

#### Example response:

```json
{
   "code": 0,
   "data": {
      "program": "account_eur",
      "token": "202f828a-c594-436d-b753-87c47556ef11", // This is the unique token ID for the account
      "merchant": "242d993a-be0e-461d-b9e4-7c84b8bfff4f ", // merchant ID is matching the one in the request
      "user": "", // User is empty as we have not assigned the account to a user, but have opened and assigned it for the business
      "type": "default",
      "number": "0123456789",
      "is_main": true, // as we have not added a account token id in the "main" field in the request the created account is main itself, it is not linked
      "status": "active", // status of the account
      "multicurrency": false, // this is depending of the program setup
      "balances": [
         {
            "available": 1.23,
            "blocked": 1.23,
            "currency": "EUR",
            "token": "338e7368-4800-40ad-a4db-2e3df401087b", // this is the unique token balance for this account
            "iban": "BG31PATC4002115468108680", // The IBAN which we needed to be generated
            "sort_code": "123456",
            "account_number": "12345678",
            "number": "0123456789",
            "is_main": true // This is marking that the EUR balance is the default balance for the program
         }
      ]
   }
}
```

In the response for account creation, we will provide back success or failure for account creation. If the creation was successful, the response will also contain account number, status of the account, which is by default active, available Balance, IBAN if such was generated, currency of the account, unique Account Token ID, Account Sort code

The account opening event can also generate a Webhook, like how one is generated, after merchant is registered.

**Example webhook payload:**

```json
{
   "action": "ACCOUNT.IBAN",
   "version": 2,
   "payload": {
      "merchant": "3331b9fc-bd75-4b2b-9d11-815ed0f6ff6a",
      "user": "604cede2f73431055608ccaac916cc1db364a8ba437cfd21",
      "account": "7369d5cf-ff30-4581-949a-523ec034949c",
      "balance": "d0d58a0d-1976-4b93-a52e-c2c9186c10b3",
      "iban": "BG96PATC40022963887320",
      "sort_code": "123456",
      "account_number": "12345678"
   }
}
```

International Bank Account Number. A standardised international format for identifying a bank account. In the Paynetics platform, IBANs are assigned at the Balance level, allowing accounts with multiple balances to have separate IBANs per currency.

A **Balance** represents an amount of funds held in a specific currency within an account.

An account may have multiple balances, typically one per supported currency. Balances are assigned payment identifiers such as IBANs or account numbers, depending on the currency.

All monetary operations reference a **balance token**, which is used in API calls to debit or credit funds, perform transfers, or apply fees.

The unique internal identifier for an Account, used in all API operations. Separate from any external identifiers such as IBANs, which are assigned at the Balance level, not the Account level.

An **Account** is a payment or e-money account used to hold funds and execute transactions.

Accounts are created under a specific instance and program and are associated with either a user or a merchant. They provide the logical structure under which balances, cards, and transactions are organised.

Common account purposes include:

- executing card payments and transfers
- holding settlement funds
- pre-funding services such as OCT

An account acts as a container for balances rather than holding funds directly.

An HTTP callback that delivers real-time event notifications from Paynetics to a partner's system. Paynetics sends webhook payloads when key events occur—such as a card authorisation, a balance update, or a 3DS challenge—so partners can react immediately without polling the API.