If your bank is not listed on Plaid, you can manually link your account using your routing and account numbers. This process, often called manual verification, involves waiting 1–3 business days for two small deposits (micro-deposits) to appear in your account, which you then verify to secure the connection.
If you are unable to find your bank institution on Plaid, you will need to enter your bank account and routing numbers manually. This will enable Plaid to verify your account using micro-deposits to set up direct deposit. Plaid will match your information with what is on file at the financial institution.
If your credit union is incompatible with Plaid, access your funds directly through the credit union's official app or website. Alternatively, use services like Google Pay if supported by your bank. Contact your credit union for guidance on alternative digital access methods.
Plaid supports thousands of financial institutions, including major banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, PNC, Capital One, U.S. Bank, and TD Bank, plus many credit unions, online banks (Ally, Chime, Varo), and investment platforms (Fidelity, Robinhood), but coverage varies, so checking Plaid's direct institution list on their site is best for specific banks, as some like certain Synchrony or business accounts, or non-US banks, might not be supported.
In this flow, users connect their accounts through Plaid Link by entering their credentials and account details. Plaid then sends a single micro-deposit via Same Day ACH and automatically verifies it once it appears—typically within one to two business days.
PayPal does use Plaid to enable easy, secure access to a customer's bank account. We even made a complete guide on if PayPal is safe that talks about how PayPal connects with your bank account. Using Plaid reduces the need to manually input routing and accounting numbers when conducting financial business.
Your bank account can't verify due to mismatched personal details (name, SSN, address), issues with the linked bank (unsupported, system errors, or closed), incorrect routing/account numbers, insufficient funds for micro-deposits, or problems with third-party verification services (like Plaid or Chex Systems) having outdated or wrong data. Common solutions involve double-checking your info, using a different verification method (like a voided check), ensuring funds for small deposits, or contacting support to clear up data errors.
Account funding made easy
On behalf of their banking partners, The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank (Members FDIC), Chime offers members a mobile-first spending account, an optional savings account, and a Chime Visa Debit Card.
Managing or disconnecting your Plaid linked bank accounts
Manage Plaid's access to your financial data via the Plaid Portal at https://my.plaid.com/. You can use the portal to review your current connections, disconnect financial accounts from an app, or delete your data from Plaid's systems.
No, you do not need to create an account to connect your financial accounts through Plaid! If you want to connect your financial accounts to an app or service using Plaid, you should be able to start the process within the app or service.
This error typically results when an application is requiring a specific account type in order to provide their services. For example, while not a requirement of Plaid's, the app you are using can require that only depository accounts, such as a checking or savings account, can be connected via Plaid.
You can link your bank to Cash App without Plaid by manually entering your bank's routing number and account number directly in the app's "Linked Banks" section, which bypasses Plaid's login process and often uses smaller verification deposits (micro-deposits) or instant verification if your bank supports it, allowing you to link for deposits and withdrawals without using your bank's online credentials.
How does Plaid work? Plaid takes your account information, encrypts it, and then gives it to apps like Zelle and Cashapp so you can easily make transactions or view account information.
Your financial institution isn't listed
If you'd like your financial institution to work with Plaid, you can ask them to contact us to get started. Since new integrations take time, we also recommend checking with the app you're trying to use—they may have other ways for you to connect your account.
The best budget apps that you can connect to your bank account are WalletHub, YNAB, Rocket Money, and Monarch Money. These apps let you sync your financial accounts, such as bank accounts and credit cards, so you can have your transactions automatically tracked and avoid having to do it yourself.