Plaid

Plaid is a leading financial services API that enables applications to connect securely with users' bank accounts. By 2026, Plaid has evolved from a simple data aggregator into a comprehensive financial orchestration layer. Its technical architecture centers on the Plaid Link interface, a drop-in client-side module that handles credential entry and multi-factor authentication for over 12,000 global financial institutions. The platform utilizes advanced machine learning models, specifically through its 'Signal' product, to predict transaction returns and assess ACH risk in real-time. In the 2026 market, Plaid is positioned as the primary enabler of the CFPB’s Rule 1033 compliance, facilitating consumer-authorized data sharing with unprecedented transparency. Its 'Layer' feature allows for high-velocity onboarding by recognizing returning users across different apps, significantly reducing abandonment rates. For developers, Plaid provides a unified REST API that abstracts away the complexities of disparate banking systems, delivering normalized JSON payloads for transactions, identity verification, account balances, and investment holdings.