How to Manually Link a Bank Account to Plaid

Plaid serves as a technology platform that facilitates secure connections between financial accounts and various applications. While many banking institutions allow for immediate account linking, manual linking is sometimes necessary. This often occurs if a bank is not supported for instant verification or if a user prefers not to share online banking credentials directly. Manual linking offers an alternative pathway to establish this connection.

Preparing for Manual Linking

Manual linking relies on a verification method involving small financial transactions, known as micro-deposits. These are typically two small deposits, each usually less than a dollar, sent to the bank account. This confirms the user has legitimate access. To begin, a user needs specific banking information readily available.

This includes the full bank account number and the routing number, which identifies the financial institution. The routing number can be found on a check, within an online banking portal, or through a mobile banking application. These details are the primary identifiers Plaid uses to send the micro-deposits to the correct account.

Initiating the Manual Linking Process

When instant bank linking is not an option, users can select an alternative path for manual verification. This option is often labeled “Link with account numbers,” “Manual verification,” or similar phrasing. Upon choosing this method, the application will prompt the user to input their bank account number and routing number, along with other details like the account holder’s legal name and account type (e.g., checking or savings). Accuracy in entering this information is important, as errors could prevent micro-deposits from reaching the intended account.

Once these details are submitted, Plaid initiates the transfer of micro-deposits. These deposits typically take one to two business days to appear, though some Plaid flows might offer same-day processing. The user must wait for these transactions to post before proceeding to the next stage of verification.

Completing the Account Verification

After the waiting period, access your bank statement (online or physical) to locate the micro-deposits. These appear as two distinct, small amounts, usually a few cents each. In some cases, a single micro-deposit may include a verification code in the transaction description. Note the exact amounts or the specific code, as this information is required for final verification.

Return to the application where the linking process was initiated. The Plaid interface will prompt you to enter the precise micro-deposit amounts or the verification code. Entering these figures confirms you have access to the bank account. Upon correct entry, the account is marked as verified, and a confirmation message appears. Users generally have a limited number of attempts, often three, to enter the correct amounts before the linking process might be temporarily or permanently locked for security reasons.