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Capabilities

Capabilities determine the possible actions an entity is allowed to take. Entities are granted capabilities based on the information provided.

Method performs a KYC (Know Your Customer) process to verify the entity's identity with the information provided. This is crucial in detecting fraud and remaining compliant with banking regulations.

An entity's capabilities can be revoked due to payment failures. See payment errors and capabilities.

Capability prefixes​

PrefixExampleDescription
paymentspayments:sendThis prefix indicates that a capability is part of Method Payments.
datadata:retrieveThis prefix indicates that a capability is part of Method Data.

Capability statuses​

Capabilities are an indicator of an entities' status. Based on KYC and risk Method might require additional information to enable a capability. The location of a capability indicates the next steps to activate that capability.

FieldMeaningNext Steps
pending_capabilityUnable to activate capability based on provided data.Provide more data using Entity Update endpoint
available_capability (only for data:retrieve)Capability is ready to be activated based on provided data.Start the auth flow using Entity Auth Session endpoint or launch the Auth Element.
capabilityCapability has been activated based on provided data.🚀

ℹī¸ See entity capabilities for details on the API.

Entity information​

Method allows you to create entities with minimal information, then update that entity as you collect more information.

Below you'll find a description of the minimum required information to enable a capability.

⚠ī¸ These requirements might differ depending on your company's risk profile, contact Method Team if you have any questions.

note

Once an entity's property has been set, that property can no longer be updated.

Receive payments (payments:receive)​

An entity is allowed to receive funds if it has the payments:receive capability activated. Below is a list of the minimum requirements for an entity to activate this capability.

Individual​

  • Name + Phone

Corporation​

  • Legal business name + EIN + Address

Send payments (payments:send)​

An entity is allowed to send funds if it has the payments:send capability activated. Below is a list of the minimum requirements for an entity to activate this capability.

Individual​

  • Name + DOB + Phone
  • Name + DOB + Phone +Email
  • Name + DOB + Phone + Address

Corporation​

  • Legal business name + EIN + Address

Retrieve data (data:retrieve)​

Retrieve all of an entity's debts with the data:retrieve capability. Before we can activate this capability, we must first make it available. In most cases, it is sufficient to provide and individual's name and phone to make this capability available. For some entities, however, more information is required.

Individual​

  • Name + Phone
  • Name + Phone + DOB
  • Name + Phone + Address
  • Name + Phone + DOB + Address

⚠ī¸ Only available for individual entities.

➡ī¸ Learn more about this capability in the identity verification section.

Sync Data (data:sync)​

Sync a liability's data using the data:sync capability. Before we can activate this capability, we must first make it available. In most cases, it is sufficient to provide and individual's name and phone to make this capability available. For some entities, however, more information is required.

Individual​

  • Name + Phone
  • Name + Phone + DOB
  • Name + Phone + Address
  • Name + Phone + DOB + Address

⚠ī¸ Only available for individual entities.