Remove a bank account through your Stripe dashboard
Log into your Stripe account and go to Settings in the left menu. Select Bank accounts under the Payouts section. Find the account you want to remove and click the three-dot menu next to it, then select Delete. Stripe will ask you to confirm — once you do, the account is removed immediately and Stripe will no longer send payouts to it.
If you have only one bank account connected, Stripe requires you to add a replacement before you can delete the existing one. This prevents your account from being left without a payout destination. Add the new account first, then return to delete the old one.
Removing an account does not affect transactions that already processed or payouts already sent. It only stops future payouts from going to that bank account.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete a bank account from Stripe's Settings menu under Bank accounts in the Payouts section.
- If you have only one bank account, you must add a new one before Stripe will let you delete the existing account.
- Deletion takes effect immediately and does not reverse past transactions or payouts.
- Removing an account does not close your Stripe account or stop payment processing — it only changes where future payouts go.
- If you need to restore a deleted account, you will have to add it again as a new bank account with full verification.
What happens to pending payouts when you delete an account
Payouts that have already been initiated to a bank account will complete even if you delete that account from Stripe before the payout arrives. Your bank will still receive the money because the transfer was already sent through the banking system.
Payouts that are scheduled but not yet sent will be rerouted to your new default bank account if you have one set. Check your payout schedule in the Payouts section of your dashboard to see which account is listed for upcoming transfers.
Re-adding a bank account you removed
If you delete a bank account and later need to use it again, you will have to add it as a new account. Go to Settings > Bank accounts and click Add bank account. Enter the routing number, account number, and account holder name.
Stripe will verify the account by sending two small deposits to the bank account — usually within one to two business days. You will need to confirm the exact amounts of those deposits in your Stripe dashboard to complete verification. Until you do, you cannot use that account for payouts.
Removing a bank account that failed verification
If a bank account failed verification or shows an error status, you can still delete it from your dashboard. Click the three-dot menu next to the account and select Delete. You do not need to wait for Stripe support to remove it.
Once deleted, you can add the account again and attempt verification a second time. If the same account keeps failing, the issue is usually a mismatch between the name on the bank account and the name in your Stripe account, or an incorrect routing or account number. Double-check all details before re-adding.
Setting a different default payout account
If you have multiple bank accounts connected to Stripe, you can change which one receives payouts without deleting any of them. Go to Settings > Bank accounts and look for the account marked as Default. Click the three-dot menu next to a different account and select Set as default.
Future payouts will go to the new default account. Existing scheduled payouts will still go to the account they were assigned to before you made the change.
Removing a bank account linked to a connected account
If you use Stripe Connect and have bank accounts linked to a connected account (not your main Stripe account), the deletion process is different. The account owner or an admin with the right permissions must remove it from their own dashboard, not from your main account.
If you are the platform owner and need to remove a connected account's bank account, you can do so through the Connected accounts section of your dashboard, but the connected account holder will be notified. It is usually better to ask them to remove it themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a bank account if money is still pending?
You can delete the account from Stripe's dashboard at any time. Payouts already sent to the banking system will complete regardless. Scheduled payouts not yet sent will move to your default account if you have one set.
What if I delete my only bank account by mistake?
Add a new bank account immediately through Settings > Bank accounts > Add bank account. Stripe will not hold your payouts — they will pause until you have a verified account on file. Once verified, payouts resume on your normal schedule.
Does removing a bank account affect my Stripe fees or transaction history?
No. Removing a bank account only changes where payouts go. Your transaction history, fees, and account status remain unchanged. Past transactions and their records stay in your dashboard.
How long does it take to delete a bank account?
Deletion is instant once you confirm it in your dashboard. The account disappears from your bank accounts list right away.
Can I remove a bank account if Stripe is holding funds for disputes or chargebacks?
Yes, you can delete the account. However, if Stripe needs to debit funds for a chargeback or dispute, it will attempt to pull from your default account. Make sure you have a valid replacement account set before deleting one that might be needed for dispute resolution.