> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lead.bank/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Originators: The identities you originate ACH under

> What an originator is, when you need one, how it takes effect through account numbers, and what you can do with the Originators API.

An originator is the company name and ACH company ID your program sends ACH as. Both go in the batch header of every entry sent under it. The originator also sets the SEC codes it can use, the entities it can originate for, and the amount limits on its activity. Every outgoing entry settles to the originator's core balance.

Lead sets up one originator for your program at onboarding. Some programs originate ACH under more than one company ID, for example for third-party sending. In that case you create the extra originators with the Originators API. Ask Lead for access.

## How an originator takes effect

An originator does nothing on its own. It takes effect through the account numbers that send ACH under it. After an originator is `active`, set `ach_controls.originator_id` on each sending account number. Outgoing entries from those account numbers then include the originator's `company_id` and `company_name`, subject to its `allowed_sec_codes` and limits.

An originator settles to exactly one core balance, named by `core_balance_id`. An account number can send under an originator only if the account number's balance is that same core balance.

## How originators relate to the rest of the model

An originator connects to these objects:

* **Core balance.** `core_balance_id` is the core balance outgoing entries settle to. It must be `active` and on a `direct` core account. See [Core Balances](https://docs.lead.bank/products/core-balance/overview.md).
* **Entity.** `entity_id` is the entity whose identity the originator represents. It must be an account holder or allowed actor on the account behind the core balance. See [Entity](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/entity/overview.md).
* **Account numbers.** An account number names its originator in `ach_controls.originator_id`. See [Payment controls](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/account-number/controls.md).
* **ACH.** Entries sent under the originator show its `company_name` and `company_id` in `record_details`. See [The ACH Object](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/ach/ach-object.md).

## What you can do

You can use these endpoints:

* `POST /v2/originators`: Create an originator. Requires an `Idempotency-Key` header. The originator starts in `pending`.
* `GET /v2/originators/{originator_id}`: Retrieve an originator.
* `GET /v2/originators`: List originators on a core balance. The `core_balance_id` filter is required.
* `PATCH /v2/originators/{originator_id}`: Update `company_name`, the `ach` block, or `metadata`.
* `POST /v2/originators/{originator_id}/activate`: Return an `inactive` originator to `active`.
* `POST /v2/originators/{originator_id}/deactivate`: Move an `active` originator to `inactive`.
* `POST /v2/originators/{originator_id}/cancel`: Permanently cancel an originator.

The activate, deactivate, and cancel endpoints take no request body but require an `Idempotency-Key`. See [Idempotency](https://docs.lead.bank/api-reference/using-the-api/idempotency-v2.md).

## What you can't do

These actions aren't available:

* **Originate under a `pending`, `inactive`, `rejected`, `suspended`, or `canceled` originator.** Only an `active` originator sends. See [Originator Statuses](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/originators/statuses.md).
* **Set your own `company_id`.** Lead assigns it.
* **Use an FBO, a shadow account, or a balance you can't read as an originator's core balance.** The request returns `422` or `404`.
* **Link an account number to an originator on a different balance.** The account number update returns `422`.
* **Change `core_balance_id` or `entity_id` after creation.** Cancel the originator and create a new one.
* **Reference an `account_id`.** It isn't accepted on requests, returned on responses, or available as a filter.

## In this section

These are the pages in this section:

* [The Originator Object](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/originators/originator-object.md)
* [Originator Statuses](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/originators/statuses.md)
* [Managing originators](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/originators/managing.md)