What happens when you link your bank account
Linking your bank account to PayPal lets you send money directly from your checking or savings account, receive payments into that account, and withdraw PayPal balance to it. PayPal verifies the account is yours by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into the account within one to two business days, then asks you to confirm those amounts in the PayPal app or website. Once confirmed, the account stays linked until you remove it.
The link itself does not give PayPal ongoing access to your account balance or the ability to withdraw money without your permission. Each time you initiate a transfer—whether sending money to another person or withdrawing your PayPal balance—you authorize that specific transaction. If someone gains access to your PayPal account, they can transfer money out, so protecting your PayPal password and enabling two-factor authentication matters as much as the bank link itself.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to report them back, which takes one to two business days.
- You can link a checking or savings account from most U.S. banks, credit unions, and online banks that accept ACH transfers.
- Linking takes about five minutes, but you cannot send or receive money through that account until verification is complete.
- Removing a linked account is immediate, but any pending transfers using that account will fail.
Steps to link your bank account on the PayPal website
Log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. On the website, click your name or profile icon in the top right, then select Settings. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap Settings.
In Settings, look for Wallet or Banks and Cards (the exact label varies by account type). Click or tap Link a Bank Account. PayPal will ask whether you want to link a U.S. bank account or an account outside the U.S.—select the correct country. Enter your bank's name or routing number. If you do not know your routing number, you can find it on a check, in your bank's app, or by searching "[Bank Name] routing number" online.
PayPal will then ask for your online banking username and password, or it may redirect you to your bank's login page directly. This step varies: some banks let PayPal log in on your behalf to pull account information, while others require you to manually enter your account number and account type (checking or savings). After you provide this information, PayPal displays the account ending in the last four digits and asks you to confirm it is correct before proceeding.
Waiting for and confirming the verification deposits
After you submit your account information, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your bank account within one to two business days. Check your bank account online or in your bank's app for these deposits. They will appear as small charges from PayPal, usually labeled something like "PayPal Verification" or "PayPal Inc."
Once you see both deposits, return to PayPal. Go back to Settings > Wallet (or Banks and Cards) and find the bank account you just linked. It will show a status like "Pending Confirmation" or "Awaiting Verification." Click or tap on that account and enter the two amounts you saw in your bank account. PayPal checks that the amounts match, and if they do, your account is verified immediately.
If you do not see the deposits after three business days, contact PayPal support or your bank. Deposits can be delayed if your bank processes ACH transfers slowly, or they may fail if you entered your account number incorrectly. PayPal will let you try again or use a different account.
What bank accounts PayPal accepts
PayPal accepts checking and savings accounts from most U.S. banks, credit unions, and online banks that process ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers. This includes large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, as well as smaller regional banks and most online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Chime.
Some accounts PayPal cannot link include prepaid cards, money market accounts, and accounts at banks that do not support ACH transfers. If you try to link an account and PayPal rejects it, your bank may not participate in ACH transfers, or there may be a temporary block on your account. Contact your bank to confirm the account type supports ACH, or try linking a different account if you have one.
Removing or unlinking a bank account
To remove a linked bank account, go to Settings > Wallet (or Banks and Cards), find the account you want to remove, and click or tap the trash icon or Remove button. The account is unlinked immediately. Any pending transfers using that account will fail, and you will need to relink the account or use a different payment method if you want to send money again.
If you remove an account by mistake, you can link it again by following the same steps as before. You will have to wait for the verification deposits again, so the process takes another one to two business days.
Sending money from your linked bank account
Once your bank account is verified, you can send money to another PayPal user or to an email address. On the PayPal website or app, click Send Money, enter the recipient's email or PayPal username, and enter the amount. PayPal will ask you to choose a payment method—select your linked bank account. The money will be deducted from your bank account within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.
Sending from your bank account is usually free, but the transfer takes longer than sending from a PayPal balance. If you need the money to arrive faster, you can add money to your PayPal balance first using your bank account, then send from the balance—but this does not speed up the initial transfer from your bank.
Receiving money into your linked bank account
When someone sends you money through PayPal, it lands in your PayPal balance first. To move it to your bank account, go to Wallet, click Transfer Money, and select Transfer to Your Bank. Choose your linked bank account and the amount you want to transfer. PayPal will process the transfer within one to three business days, depending on your bank.
You can also set up automatic transfers so that money received goes directly to your bank account instead of sitting in your PayPal balance. This option is available in Settings under Transfers or Automatic Transfers, though not all account types support it. If automatic transfers are not available, you will need to manually transfer money each time.
Troubleshooting common linking problems
If PayPal rejects your bank account during linking, the most common reasons are a typo in your account number or routing number, a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account, or your bank does not support ACH transfers. Double-check the account number and routing number against a check or your bank's website. If the names do not match exactly, contact PayPal support to update your account name or try linking under a different PayPal account.
If you do not see the verification deposits after three business days, your bank may process ACH transfers slowly, or the deposits may have failed. Log into your bank account and search for any deposits from PayPal, even small ones. If you find them, enter the amounts into PayPal to complete verification. If you do not find them, contact your bank to ask whether they received the deposits from PayPal, then contact PayPal support to request the deposits be sent again.
If you linked your account successfully but cannot send or receive money, your PayPal account may have a limitation or hold. Check your Resolution Center or Account Limitations in Settings to see whether PayPal is asking for additional information. You may need to confirm your identity, update your address, or wait for a review to complete before you can use the linked account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can link as many bank accounts as you want, but you can only set one as your primary account for automatic transfers. When you send or receive money, you choose which linked account to use each time.
Does PayPal charge a fee to link my bank account?
No. Linking itself is free. Sending money from your linked bank account is usually free, but receiving money and transferring it to your bank account may have fees depending on the transaction type and your account status. Check PayPal's fee schedule for your specific situation.
What if my bank account name does not match my PayPal name exactly?
PayPal usually allows minor differences (like "Robert" on your bank account and "Bob" on PayPal), but exact matches are safer. If PayPal rejects the account, contact PayPal support to update your account name or ask whether the mismatch is the issue.
How long does it take to send money from my linked bank account?
The money leaves your PayPal account immediately, but your bank processes the withdrawal within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays can add time. If the recipient is also on PayPal, they receive notification right away, but the actual funds arrive to their bank account on their bank's timeline.
Can I unlink my bank account if there is a pending transfer?
You can unlink it, but the pending transfer will fail. The money will not be sent, and you will need to relink the account or use a different payment method to complete the transfer.