How to Automate Citi Bank Data Export (No API Required)

Introduction

Citi Bank provides comprehensive banking services but has limited API access for individual users. Browser automation offers a powerful solution to export transaction data, statements, account information, and automate financial workflows when API access is restricted or unavailable. This guide explores how to use browser automation to collect and export financial data from Citi Bank.

Why Use Browser Automation for Citi Bank Data Export?

• Limited API Access: Citi Bank has restricted or no API access for individual users
• Dashboard-Only Features: Some reports and analytics are only available through the web interface
• Historical Data: Easier access to older transactions beyond API limits
• Custom Reports: Generate reports with specific date ranges and filters
• Tax Preparation: Export data formatted for tax software and compliance
• Multi-Account Management: Collect data from multiple Citi Bank accounts efficiently

Setting Up Citi Bank Data Export Automation

Here's how to automate data collection from Citi Bank using browser automation:

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const response = await fetch("https://api.anchorbrowser.io/api/sessions", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "anchor-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    'headless': false,
    'proxy': {
      'type': 'residential',
      'country': 'US'
    }
  }),
});

const { id } = await response.json();
const connectionString = `wss://connect.anchorbrowser.io?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY&sessionId=${id}`;

const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(connectionString);
const context = browser.contexts()[0];
const ai = context.serviceWorkers()[0];
const page = context.pages()[0];

// Navigate to Citi Bank
await page.goto("https://online.citi.com");

// Login with AI agent
await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
  prompt: 'Log in to Citi Bank using the provided credentials. Wait for the dashboard to fully load.'
}));

Exporting Transaction Data

Automate the export of transaction data from Citi Bank:

const exportCitiTransactions = async (page, ai, dateRange) => {
  // Navigate to transactions or statements section
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Transactions or Statements section in Citi Bank'
  }));
  
  // Set date filter
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set the date filter to ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}`
  }));
  
  // Export data
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Click the Export or Download button and select CSV or Excel format. Wait for the download to complete.'
  }));
  
  // Wait for download
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  const path = await download.path();
  
  return path;
};

Collecting Account Data

Extract account information and summaries:

const collectCitiAccountData = async (page, ai) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Account Summary or Dashboard section'
  }));
  
  // Extract account data
  const accountData = await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Extract account information including: account numbers, balances, account types, and recent activity. Return as structured JSON data.'
  }));
  
  return accountData;
};

Generating Custom Reports

Create custom reports with specific filters:

const generateCitiReport = async (page, ai, reportType, filters) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to the Reports section and select ${reportType} report`
  }));
  
  // Apply filters
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Apply filters: ${JSON.stringify(filters)}`
  }));
  
  // Generate and download
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Click Generate Report, wait for processing, then download it'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Best Practices for Citi Bank Automation

• Security: Use secure credential storage and enable 2FA handling
• Rate Limiting: Add delays between requests to avoid account restrictions
• Data Validation: Verify exported data completeness before processing
• Error Handling: Implement retry logic for transient failures
• Compliance: Ensure data handling meets financial regulations and terms of service
• Regular Updates: Monitor for changes in Citi Bank's interface and update scripts accordingly

Handling Authentication

Citi Bank may require multi-factor authentication. Here's how to handle it:

const handleCitiAuth = async (page, ai, credentials) => {
  // Navigate to login
  await page.goto("https://online.citi.com/login");
  
  // Enter credentials
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Enter username: ${credentials.username} and password: ${credentials.password}, then click Login`
  }));
  
  // Handle 2FA if required
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'If a 2FA prompt appears, wait for the code to be provided and enter it, or click "Remember this device" if available'
  }));
  
  // Wait for dashboard
  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
};

Resources

• Anchor Browser Documentation - Complete API reference and guides
• Anchor Browser Playground - Try browser automation in your browser

Conclusion

Browser automation provides a flexible alternative to API access for Citi Bank data export. By leveraging intelligent browser agents, you can automate comprehensive data collection workflows that aren't easily achievable through API calls alone. Whether you need transaction history, account statements, or custom reports, browser automation enables efficient data export from Citi Bank.

Start automating your Citi Bank data collection today and streamline your financial data management workflows!