Connect Your Bank Account in the Venmo App
Open Venmo on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then select Settings. Tap Payment Methods, then Add a Bank Account. Venmo will ask for your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. You can find both numbers at the bottom of a check, or log into your bank's website to locate them.
After you enter this information, Venmo verifies the account by making two small deposits to your bank account—usually within one to two business days. Once the deposits arrive, return to Venmo, tap Confirm Bank Account, and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. Venmo will then mark the account as verified and ready to use.
If you do not have checks or cannot find your routing number online, call your bank's customer service line. They can confirm your account number and routing number over the phone in under five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You need your account number and routing number from your bank to connect Venmo; both appear at the bottom of a check or in your bank's online portal.
- Venmo verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts, which you must confirm by entering those exact amounts back into the app.
- The verification process takes one to two business days after you submit your account information.
- Once verified, you can transfer money from Venmo to your bank account, though the transfer itself takes one to three business days depending on your bank.
- Venmo does not charge a fee to connect your bank account or to transfer money out, but some banks may charge their own fees for incoming transfers.
What Happens After Your Bank Account Is Verified
Once Venmo confirms your account, you can move money between Venmo and your bank in both directions. To send money from Venmo to your bank, open the app, tap the menu icon, select Transfer to Bank, choose the amount, and confirm. The money leaves your Venmo balance immediately, but your bank account will not receive it for one to three business days—the exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed.
To add money from your bank to Venmo (called a transfer in), tap the menu icon, select Add Money, choose your bank account as the source, enter the amount, and confirm. This also takes one to three business days. Some banks process transfers faster than others; if you consistently see delays, contact your bank to ask whether they prioritize ACH transfers.
You can connect multiple bank accounts to Venmo if you have accounts at different banks. Each account must go through the same verification process with the two small deposits.
Why Venmo Needs Your Routing and Account Numbers
Your routing number identifies which bank or credit union holds your account. Your account number identifies which specific account within that bank is yours. Together, they form the address that tells the payment system exactly where to send or pull money. Venmo uses these numbers to set up what is called an ACH transfer—an automated clearing house transfer, which is the standard method for moving money between consumer bank accounts electronically.
Venmo does not store your full account numbers on its servers in a way that would let hackers access your bank directly. Instead, Venmo encrypts this information and uses it only to initiate transfers through the banking system. The verification deposits prove that you own the account and that the numbers are correct.
What to Do If Verification Deposits Do Not Arrive
If you do not see the two small deposits in your bank account after three business days, the account information you entered may be incorrect. Return to Venmo's Payment Methods section and double-check the routing number and account number against your bank statement or your bank's website. A single wrong digit will cause the deposits to fail.
If the numbers are correct but the deposits still have not arrived, contact Venmo support through the app by tapping the menu icon, selecting Help, and describing the problem. Venmo support can resend the verification deposits or troubleshoot why they failed. This usually takes one to two business days.
In the meantime, you can still use Venmo to send and receive money from other Venmo users—you just cannot transfer money to or from your bank account until verification is complete.
Security and What Information You Are Sharing
Connecting your bank account to Venmo means Venmo has your routing number and account number, which are the same pieces of information that appear on every check you write. These numbers alone cannot let someone withdraw money without your permission—they need your PIN, password, or other authentication that only you have. Venmo uses industry-standard encryption to protect this data.
When you authorize a transfer from Venmo to your bank, you are instructing Venmo to pull money from your Venmo balance and push it into your bank account. When you transfer money into Venmo, you are instructing your bank to send money to Venmo's account. Both transactions are reversible if something goes wrong, though reversals can take several business days.
If your Venmo account is hacked, the attacker can transfer money out of your Venmo balance to your connected bank account, but they cannot access your bank account directly. Your bank account itself remains protected by your bank's security measures. If you suspect fraud, change your Venmo password immediately and contact both Venmo and your bank.
Transferring Money Out: Timing and Fees
Venmo does not charge a fee to transfer money from your Venmo balance to your bank account. However, some banks charge a small fee for incoming ACH transfers—usually between $0 and $3. Check your bank's fee schedule or call customer service to find out whether they charge for this type of transfer.
The transfer itself takes one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you initiate on Friday evening will not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest. If you need money urgently, plan ahead and initiate the transfer as early in the week as possible.
Venmo also offers an optional Instant Transfer feature that moves money to your bank account within 30 minutes instead of one to three days. This service charges a small percentage fee (usually 1 to 1.5% of the amount transferred) and requires you to have a debit card connected to Venmo as well as a verified bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Venmo works with both checking and savings accounts as long as they are at a U.S. bank or credit union and accept ACH transfers. Some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers you can make per month—usually six—so check your account agreement if you plan to transfer frequently.
What if I enter the wrong routing number?
The verification deposits will fail and go to the wrong bank. Venmo will not be able to confirm your account. Delete the incorrect account from your Payment Methods and add it again with the correct routing number. You can find the correct number on your bank's website or by calling customer service.
Do I have to use my real name on my bank account?
Yes. Your Venmo account name does not have to match your bank account name exactly, but the account you connect must be in your legal name or a name you are authorized to use. Venmo may ask for ID if the names do not match closely.
Can I connect my partner's or spouse's bank account?
Only if your name is on the account. Venmo requires that the person connecting the account be the account owner or an authorized user. If you share finances with someone else, you can each connect your own accounts, or one of you can connect a joint account if both names appear on it.
What happens if I delete my bank account from Venmo?
Venmo will stop letting you transfer money to or from that account. Any transfers already in progress will complete normally. If you reconnect the same account later, you will need to go through the verification process again with the two small deposits.