Add your bank account in the app settings, not during a payment
Open Venmo, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right, then tap Settings. Select Payment Methods, then Bank Account. Choose Add a Bank Account. Venmo will ask for your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. You can find both numbers on a check, or log into your bank's website to locate them. After you enter this information, Venmo sends two small deposits to your account—usually within one to two business days. Once those deposits arrive, go back to the app, tap Confirm Bank Account, and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. That confirms you own the account.
The whole process takes three to five business days from start to finish. You do not need to wait for confirmation before using Venmo—you can send and receive money immediately—but you cannot transfer money to or from your bank account until those deposits clear and you confirm the amounts.
Key Takeaways
- Bank account linking happens in Settings > Payment Methods > Bank Account, not during a payment.
- You need your account number and routing number, both visible on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- Venmo sends two small deposits to verify you own the account; you confirm by entering their amounts.
- The verification process takes three to five business days, but you can send and receive money with Venmo immediately.
- Once linked, transfers to your bank account usually arrive within one to three business days.
What information Venmo needs from you
Venmo requires your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. The account number is the long string of digits unique to your account; the routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. Both appear at the bottom left of any check you have written. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app, go to account details or statements, and look for the routing and account numbers listed there. Some banks also print this information on deposit slips.
Do not use someone else's account. Venmo verifies ownership by sending deposits only to the account holder's name. If the name on your Venmo account does not match the name on the bank account, the verification will fail and you will need to start over with the correct account.
How the verification deposits work
After you enter your account and routing numbers, Venmo initiates two small deposits—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each—into your bank account. These deposits arrive within one to two business days. Your bank will show them as coming from Venmo or a Venmo-related entity. Check your bank statement or your bank's app to see the exact amounts.
Once both deposits appear in your account, return to Venmo, tap Confirm Bank Account, and enter the two amounts in the order Venmo asks for them. Enter the amounts exactly as they appear—if one deposit was $0.23 and the other was $0.17, enter them in the correct order. If you enter them incorrectly, Venmo will ask you to try again. After you enter the correct amounts, your bank account is confirmed and ready to use.
Transferring money between Venmo and your bank
Once your account is confirmed, you can move money between Venmo and your bank. To transfer money from Venmo to your bank account, open the app, tap the three horizontal lines, select Settings, then Payment Methods. Tap your linked bank account, then Transfer to Bank. Enter the amount and confirm. Venmo offers two transfer speeds: standard transfers (one to three business days) are free, and instant transfers (within 30 minutes) cost 1% of the amount you are transferring, with a minimum fee of $0.25.
To add money to Venmo from your bank account, tap the ☰ menu, go to Settings > Payment Methods, select your bank account, and tap Add Money. Enter the amount and confirm. This transfer usually takes one to three business days. Venmo does not charge a fee for adding money from your bank account.
What to do if verification fails
If you enter the deposit amounts incorrectly three times, Venmo will lock you out of that account link temporarily. Wait 24 hours, then try again. If the deposits never arrive in your account, check that you entered your routing and account numbers correctly. A single digit wrong will send the deposits to the wrong account.
If you are certain the numbers are correct but the deposits still have not arrived after three business days, contact your bank to confirm they received the transfers. Venmo may also have flagged your account for review if the name on your Venmo account does not match your bank account exactly. If this happens, Venmo will notify you in the app and may ask you to verify your identity with a photo ID or other documentation.
Removing or changing your linked bank account
To remove a bank account from Venmo, go to Settings > Payment Methods > Bank Account, tap the account you want to remove, and select Remove Bank Account. Venmo will ask you to confirm. Removing an account does not affect any past transactions, but you will no longer be able to transfer money to or from that account.
To change which bank account is linked, add a new account using the same process as your first account—enter the new bank's information, wait for the verification deposits, and confirm the amounts. You can have multiple bank accounts linked to Venmo at the same time. To switch which account money transfers to by default, go to Payment Methods, tap the account you want to use, and select Make Primary.
Security and fraud protection
Venmo uses encryption to protect your account and routing numbers during transmission. Once your account is linked and verified, Venmo does not store your full account number—it stores a token that represents your account instead. This means even if Venmo's systems were breached, a thief would not gain direct access to your account number.
If you notice a transfer you did not authorize, report it to Venmo immediately through the app. Tap the three horizontal lines, go to Settings > Help, and select Report a Problem. Describe the unauthorized transfer and Venmo will investigate. You should also contact your bank and report the unauthorized transfer to them—your bank may reverse it under its own fraud protection rules, which sometimes offer more protection than Venmo's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Venmo accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical—you enter the account and routing numbers, confirm the verification deposits, and you are ready to transfer. Some banks charge fees for frequent transfers from savings accounts, so check your bank's rules before linking a savings account.
Why is my bank account still pending after five business days?
The verification deposits may have been sent to the wrong account if you entered your routing or account number incorrectly. Remove the account from Venmo and try again with the correct numbers. If you are certain the numbers are correct, contact your bank to ask whether they received deposits from Venmo in the past week.
Do I have to link a bank account to use Venmo?
No. You can send money to other Venmo users using a debit card or credit card without linking a bank account. However, you cannot transfer money out of Venmo to your own account without a linked bank account. If you only want to send money to friends, a bank account is optional.
What happens if I close the bank account that is linked to Venmo?
If you close the account, Venmo will not automatically remove it from your payment methods. You should remove it manually to avoid failed transfers. If you attempt a transfer to a closed account, the transfer will fail and Venmo will notify you. The money will return to your Venmo balance within one to three business days.
Can someone else link their bank account to my Venmo?
No. Venmo requires the name on the bank account to match the name on your Venmo account. If someone tries to link an account in a different name, the verification will fail when Venmo sends the deposits.