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POST
/
v0
/
external-accounts
Create external account
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.getlemma.com/v0/external-accounts \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer <token>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '
{
  "entity_id": "<string>",
  "nickname": "<string>",
  "holder_type": "<string>",
  "routing_number": "<string>",
  "account_number": "<string>",
  "holder_name": "<string>",
  "holder_address": {
    "line1": "<string>",
    "line2": "<string>",
    "city": "<string>",
    "state": "<string>",
    "postal_code": "<string>",
    "country": "<string>"
  }
}
'
{
  "id": "external_account_Bx5nTm8hKw3pVd7c",
  "entity_id": "entity_k7mXp2vR9nTfBw4s",
  "nickname": "Quest Diagnostics Operating Account",
  "routing_number": "021000021",
  "account_number": "123456789",
  "status": "active",
  "created_at": "2026-03-20T18:45:00Z"
}
Creates a saved external account that can be used as a destination for transfers. External accounts represent bank accounts outside of Lemma, such as a vendor, payroll provider, or another financial institution. External accounts cannot be edited after creation. If you need to change account details, archive the existing external account and create a new one. See Saved recipients for more on why.
The nickname is visible to the account owner on their Lemma dashboard. Choose something descriptive and recognizable (e.g., “Owner’s Personal Account” rather than “Acct 4821”). We recommend making nicknames unique within a provider.

​
Request body

​
entity_id
string
required
The ID of the entity this recipient belongs to.
​
nickname
string
required
A human-readable label for this recipient. Displayed on the Lemma dashboard and in transaction history.
​
holder_type
string
required
Whether the account holder is a business or an individual. One of business or individual.
​
routing_number
string
required
The 9-digit ABA routing number of the recipient’s bank.
​
account_number
string
required
The bank account number.
​
holder_name
string
required
The legal name of the account holder.
​
holder_address
object
required
The account holder’s mailing address. Must be a US address.

​
Response

Returns the created external account object.
​
id
string
Unique identifier for the external account, prefixed with external_account_.
​
entity_id
string
The ID of the entity that owns this external account.
​
nickname
string
The human-readable label for this external account.
​
holder_type
string
business or individual.
​
routing_number
string
The routing number of the account holder’s bank.
​
account_number
string
The external account’s account number.
​
status
string
The external account’s status. Always active on creation.
​
created_at
string
ISO 8601 timestamp of when the external account was created.
{
  "id": "external_account_Bx5nTm8hKw3pVd7c",
  "entity_id": "entity_k7mXp2vR9nTfBw4s",
  "nickname": "Quest Diagnostics Operating Account",
  "routing_number": "021000021",
  "account_number": "123456789",
  "status": "active",
  "created_at": "2026-03-20T18:45:00Z"
}