RBC announced March 20 that it has launched an Application Programming Interface (API) developer portal. RBC says it is the first Canadian bank to do so.

The RBC Developers portal will allow eligible, external software developers, industry innovators and clients to access select RBC APIs.

Transformational effects

"Across other industries we've seen the transformational effect of APIs," said Sumit Oberai, Senior Vice-President, Digital Technology, RBC. "By providing external developers, industry innovators and clients with access to select RBC APIs, we have the opportunity to increase connectivity, create new tools and experiences for clients, and enable open and innovative collaboration to improve the future of banking."

APIs allow applications to talk to other applications. Once registered and approved to use the RBC Developers™ portal, external parties will be able to browse and learn about the APIs offered and build, test and deploy their applications using these APIs.

Five API packages

RBC is initially offering five API packages in the portal with others to be added in the future. The five currently being offered are: the credit card catalog API; the minimum down payment API; the branch locator API; the amortization schedule API and the safety deposit box inventory API.