tractatus/docs/STRIPE_BANK_NAME_MATCHING.md

# Stripe Payout Name Matching Issue - TSB NZ

## Problem: TSB Bank Requires Exact Name Match

TSB New Zealand requires the payout recipient name to **exactly match** the bank account owner name.

**Your situation:**
- Bank account owner: **John Stroh**
- Stripe business name: **Tractatus AI Safety Framework** or **Tractatus Koha**
- TSB requirement: Name must be **John Stroh** (exact match)

**If mismatch**: Payout will be **REJECTED** by TSB and returned to Stripe.

---

## Immediate Action: Check Stripe Payout Settings

### Step 1: Check Current Payout Name

1. Go to: **https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/public**
2. Look for **"Business name"** or **"Public business name"**
3. Note what it says (probably "Tractatus AI Safety Framework")

### Step 2: Check Bank Account Details

1. Go to: **https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/payouts**
2. Under **"Bank accounts and debit cards"**, click on your NZ bank account
3. Look for **"Account holder name"** field
4. **This MUST say "John Stroh"** to match TSB requirements

---

## Fix: Update Payout Recipient Name

### Option 1: Update Bank Account Name in Stripe

1. Go to: **https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/payouts**
2. Under **"Bank accounts"**, click your TSB account
3. Click **"Edit"** or the three dots menu → **"Update details"**
4. Change **"Account holder name"** to: **John Stroh**
   - Use exact capitalization as on your bank account
   - No middle names unless they're on the account
5. Click **"Save"**

### Option 2: Re-add Bank Account with Correct Name

If you can't edit the existing account:

1. Go to: **https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/payouts**
2. Click **"Add bank account"**
3. Enter details:
   - **Account holder name**: `John Stroh` (EXACT match to bank account)
   - **Account number**: Your TSB account number
   - **Routing number**: TSB routing/branch code
4. Click **"Add bank account"**
5. Wait for verification (micro-deposits or instant verification)
6. Once verified, set as default
7. Remove old bank account

---

## What Name Should You Use Where?

### ✅ Bank Account Name (Stripe Payouts Settings)
- **Use**: `John Stroh`
- **Why**: MUST match bank account owner name exactly
- **Where**: Dashboard → Settings → Payouts → Bank accounts

### ✅ Business Name (Public Display)
- **Use**: `Tractatus AI Safety Framework`
- **Why**: This appears on customer receipts and invoices
- **Where**: Dashboard → Settings → Public details

### ✅ Legal Business Name (Account Settings)
- **Use**: `John Stroh` (if individual) or `Tractatus AI Safety Framework` (if company)
- **Why**: For tax reporting (required in some jurisdictions)
- **Where**: Dashboard → Settings → Account details

**The key**: Bank account holder name ≠ Business name

---

## Verify Name Matching

### In Stripe Dashboard:
1. **Settings → Payouts → Bank accounts**
   - Account holder name: **John Stroh** ✅

2. **Settings → Public details**
   - Business name: **Tractatus AI Safety Framework** ✅

3. **Settings → Account details**
   - Legal entity: Depends on your structure (Individual = John Stroh)

### In Your TSB Online Banking:
1. Log into TSB online banking
2. Check account owner name
3. Write down the EXACT name (including spaces, capitalization)
4. Use this EXACT name in Stripe payout settings

---

## What Happens If Name Doesn't Match?

### Payout Rejected Scenario:
1. Stripe sends payout to TSB with name "Tractatus Koha"
2. TSB checks: Account owner = "John Stroh" ≠ "Tractatus Koha"
3. TSB rejects the payment
4. Stripe receives rejection notification
5. Funds return to your Stripe balance
6. You receive email: "Payout failed"

### How to Fix After Rejection:
1. Update bank account holder name in Stripe (see above)
2. Request manual payout again
3. Stripe sends with correct name
4. TSB accepts payment
5. Money arrives in bank

---

## TSB New Zealand Specific Requirements

TSB implemented stricter verification in 2024:

### Name Matching Rules:
- ✅ **Exact match required**: "John Stroh" = "John Stroh"
- ❌ **No abbreviations**: "J. Stroh" ≠ "John Stroh"
- ❌ **No business names**: "Tractatus Koha" ≠ "John Stroh"
- ❌ **No variations**: "John D. Stroh" ≠ "John Stroh" (unless middle initial is on account)

### What TSB Checks:
1. Account number matches
2. Account holder name matches EXACTLY
3. If mismatch → Reject payment

---

## Check If This Is Already a Problem

### Check Stripe Events/Logs:

1. Go to: **https://dashboard.stripe.com/events**
2. Filter by: `payout.failed` or `payout.rejected`
3. Look for any recent failures

### Check Email:

- Search inbox for: "payout failed" OR "stripe payout"
- Stripe sends email immediately if payout fails
- Check spam folder too

### Check Stripe Balance:

1. Go to: **https://dashboard.stripe.com/balance/overview**
2. If **"Available"** shows $4.55 (after it moved from Pending)
   - But payout hasn't happened after 2 days
   - This suggests a payout failure

---

## Quick Fix Checklist

Run through this NOW to prevent issues:

- [ ] Log into Stripe Dashboard
- [ ] Go to Settings → Payouts
- [ ] Click on TSB bank account
- [ ] Check "Account holder name" field
- [ ] If it says anything OTHER than "John Stroh":
  - [ ] Update it to "John Stroh" (exact match)
  - [ ] Save changes
- [ ] Log into TSB online banking
- [ ] Verify account name exactly matches
- [ ] Wait for next payout cycle

---

## If Using Individual vs Company Account

### Individual Account (Personal):
- **Account owner**: John Stroh
- **Stripe account type**: Individual
- **Business name (receipts)**: Tractatus AI Safety Framework
- **Payout recipient**: John Stroh ✅

### Company Account (Business):
- **Account owner**: Tractatus AI Safety Framework Ltd
- **Stripe account type**: Company
- **Business name**: Tractatus AI Safety Framework
- **Payout recipient**: Tractatus AI Safety Framework Ltd ✅

**Most likely for you**: Individual account, so use "John Stroh"

---

## Contact TSB Directly

If you're unsure of the exact name format:

**TSB Contact:**
- Phone: 0800 872 000
- Ask: "What is the exact account holder name on my account [number]?"
- Explain: "I need it for receiving electronic payments via Stripe"
- They'll tell you the exact format required

---

## Summary

**High Priority Action:**
1. **Right now**: Check Stripe payout settings
2. **Verify**: Account holder name = "John Stroh" (exact match to bank)
3. **Update**: If wrong, change it immediately
4. **Prevent**: Payout rejections from TSB's verification system

**This is likely the issue** if:
- Stripe says "payout sent" but money never arrives
- You get "payout failed" emails
- Balance stays in "Available" without transferring

**Good news**: Easy to fix by updating the account holder name in Stripe settings.

---

**Created**: 2025-10-18
**Bank**: TSB New Zealand
**Requirement**: Exact name matching for payment verification
**Fix**: Update Stripe bank account holder name to "John Stroh"