You cannot add a prepaid card as an account holder, but you can transfer money between them
A prepaid card is not a bank account and cannot be added as a joint holder or authorized user the way another person can. However, you can move money from your bank account to a prepaid card, or from a prepaid card to your bank account, using the card's routing and account number — the same way you would set up a transfer to anyone else's account.
The prepaid card issuer (Visa, Mastercard, Green Dot, NetSpend, or whoever issued it) assigns a routing number and account number to your card. You enter those numbers into your bank's transfer system, and money moves between the two accounts. The transfer usually takes one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.
If you want someone else to have access to the prepaid card itself — to spend from it or manage it — that depends on the card issuer's rules, not your bank account. Some prepaid cards allow you to add an authorized user directly through the card issuer's app or website. Others do not.
Key Takeaways
- You link a prepaid card to your bank account by entering the card's routing number and account number into your bank's transfer system, not by adding it as an account holder.
- Transfers between your bank account and a prepaid card take one to three business days and work the same way as transfers to any other account.
- If you want someone else to use the prepaid card, you must check the card issuer's rules about authorized users — your bank account settings do not control this.
- Some prepaid card issuers charge fees for incoming transfers or for maintaining a balance, so check the card's fee schedule before you link it.
How to set up the transfer from your bank
Log into your bank's online banking portal or mobile app and look for "Transfer Money," "Add External Account," or "Link Account." You will be asked for the prepaid card's routing number and account number. The routing number is usually printed on the card itself or available in the card issuer's app. The account number is typically the card number or a separate account number assigned by the issuer.
Your bank may ask you to verify the account by making two small test deposits (usually under $1 each) to the prepaid card, then confirming the amounts. This takes an extra day or two but protects both accounts from fraud. Once verified, you can transfer money whenever you need to.
Some banks charge a fee for transfers to external accounts, and some prepaid card issuers charge a fee for receiving transfers. Check both your bank's fee schedule and the prepaid card's terms before you link them. A few prepaid cards charge monthly maintenance fees or fees for inactivity, so confirm what you will owe.
Finding the prepaid card's routing and account number
The routing number is usually printed on the front or back of the physical card, or you can find it in the card issuer's mobile app under "Account Details" or "Transfer Information." If you cannot find it on the card, call the customer service number on the back of the card and ask for the routing number and account number for transfers.
The account number may be the 16-digit card number itself, or the issuer may have assigned a separate account number. The card issuer's app or website will clarify which one to use. Do not guess — using the wrong number will send your money to the wrong place and delay the transfer.
What to do if you want someone else to access the prepaid card
Adding someone to your bank account and giving them access to a prepaid card are two separate things. If you want another person to be able to spend from the prepaid card or manage it, you need to check the card issuer's rules, not your bank's.
Some prepaid card issuers (like NetSpend and Green Dot) allow you to add an authorized user through their app or website. You provide the person's name and date of birth, and they receive their own card or access to the account. Other issuers do not offer this feature at all. Contact the card issuer directly to find out whether they allow authorized users and what the process is.
If the card issuer does not allow authorized users, your only option is to share the card itself or to transfer money to the person's own account. Sharing a single card with someone else creates risk if the card is lost or stolen, so most people prefer to set up separate accounts.
How long transfers take and what can go wrong
A transfer from your bank account to a prepaid card usually takes one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. Some banks offer faster transfers (same-day or next-day) for an extra fee.
If a transfer does not arrive within three business days, log into your bank account and check the status. Your bank's transfer history will show whether the transfer was sent, rejected, or is still pending. If it was rejected, the most common reasons are a wrong routing or account number, or the prepaid card account is closed or frozen.
If the prepaid card issuer rejected the transfer, contact their customer service and ask why. If your bank rejected it, your bank can tell you the reason and help you correct the information. Do not send the transfer again until you know what went wrong — sending it twice by mistake will create duplicate charges.
Transferring money from a prepaid card back to your bank account
You can also move money in the opposite direction: from the prepaid card to your bank account. The process is the same — you enter your bank's routing number and account number into the prepaid card issuer's app or website, and the money transfers in one to three business days.
Some prepaid card issuers charge a fee for outgoing transfers, especially if you are transferring to a bank account that is not the original source of the card's funding. Check the card's fee schedule before you transfer. A few issuers limit how many transfers you can make per month, so confirm you have not hit that limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid card as my main bank account?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Prepaid cards lack the fraud protections and deposit insurance that bank accounts have. If the card is lost or stolen, you may not recover the money. Bank accounts are insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC, but prepaid cards are not.
What if the prepaid card issuer goes out of business?
If the issuer closes, your money may be frozen for weeks or months while the company liquidates. Bank accounts are protected by FDIC insurance, so your money is safe even if the bank fails. Prepaid cards offer no such protection, which is another reason to use them for temporary storage rather than long-term savings.
Can I set up automatic transfers from my bank to a prepaid card?
Some banks and card issuers allow recurring transfers, but not all. Check your bank's transfer settings to see if you can schedule automatic transfers on a set date each month. If your bank does not offer this, you can set a calendar reminder to transfer manually each time you need to.
Will linking a prepaid card hurt my credit score?
No. Linking accounts or transferring money between them does not affect your credit. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not on the accounts you own or how you move money between them.
What if I enter the wrong routing number?
Your bank will send the money to the wrong account, and you will need to contact that bank to recover it. Always double-check the routing and account numbers before you confirm a transfer. If you make a mistake, contact your bank immediately — the sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovery.