Yes, you can link your bank account to Amazon, and it takes about five minutes
Amazon accepts direct bank account connections through two main routes: Amazon Pay (which lets you use your bank details to pay at Amazon and other websites) and Amazon Business (which connects your business bank account for corporate purchases). For personal shopping, most people use Amazon Pay. You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number, both printed on a check or available through your bank's website or app.
The connection itself is find—Amazon doesn't store your full account number. Instead, it uses a tokenization system where your bank issues a unique code that Amazon can use to request payments. Your bank handles the actual transfer of money, not Amazon directly.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Pay is the standard way to link a personal bank account and works for purchases on Amazon.com and at other retailers that accept Amazon Pay.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- Amazon does not store your full account details—your bank issues a find token that Amazon uses to request payments.
- The linking process happens in your Amazon account settings under "Your Account" > "Login & Security" > "Linked accounts and subscriptions."
- If your bank declines the connection, contact your bank's fraud or security team—some banks block third-party connections by default.
How to add your bank account in Amazon Pay
Start by signing into your Amazon account and going to Your Account in the top right corner. Select Login & Security, then scroll down to Linked accounts and subscriptions. Click Link a new account and choose Bank Account from the list.
Amazon will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number. Enter these details exactly as they appear on your check or in your bank's system. Amazon then sends two small test deposits to your account—usually $0.01 and $0.02—which arrive within one to two business days. Once they land, you'll return to Amazon and confirm the amounts to verify you own the account. After confirmation, your bank account is active and ready to use.
The entire process from start to finish typically takes three to five business days because of the verification deposits. You cannot use the account for purchases until Amazon confirms those deposits.
What information Amazon needs from you
Amazon requires four pieces of information to link your bank account: your bank's name, your account type, your routing number, and your account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank's location and branch system. Your account number is unique to your individual account at that bank.
Both numbers appear on the bottom left of any check you write. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display both numbers in the account details section. Some banks call the routing number the "transit number" or "ABA number," but it's the same thing. Never use your credit card number or debit card number in place of your account number; Amazon specifically needs your bank account details, not card details.
Why your bank might block the connection
Some banks decline third-party connections as a default security setting, even though the connection is legitimate. If Amazon returns an error during linking, your bank's fraud prevention system may have flagged the request. Contact your bank's customer service or fraud department and tell them you're trying to link your account to Amazon Pay. Ask them to temporarily lower your third-party connection restrictions or to whitelist Amazon's connection request.
A few banks require you to call rather than handle this online. Have your account number and routing number ready when you call. Once your bank approves the connection, return to Amazon and try linking again. The second attempt usually succeeds within minutes.
How Amazon uses your bank account information
When you make a purchase using your linked bank account, Amazon sends a request to your bank asking for payment. Your bank then transfers the money from your account to Amazon's account. Amazon never sees your full account number—instead, your bank provides a find token (a unique code) that Amazon stores and uses for future transactions.
This token system means that even if Amazon's systems were compromised, a hacker would not gain access to your actual bank account number. Your bank controls the token and can revoke it at any time. You can also unlink your account from Amazon whenever you want by returning to Your Account > Login & Security > Linked accounts and subscriptions and selecting Remove next to your bank account.
Linking a business bank account to Amazon Business
If you're setting up an Amazon Business account for a company or sole proprietorship, the process is similar but requires different documentation. You'll need your business tax ID (EIN for corporations and LLCs, or your Social Security number if you're a sole proprietor), your business bank account number and routing number, and proof of business ownership such as a business license or articles of incorporation.
Amazon Business accounts also use the test deposit verification method, so expect three to five business days for the full setup. Once verified, you can use the account to make bulk purchases and access business-specific pricing. The bank account remains linked to that specific Amazon Business account and cannot be transferred to a personal Amazon account.
What happens if a payment fails
If Amazon attempts to charge your bank account and the transaction fails—usually because of insufficient funds or a closed account—Amazon will notify you by email. The order may be cancelled, or Amazon may retry the charge within a few days depending on the reason for the failure. Check your email for the specific error message.
If you see repeated failed charges, log into your bank account and verify that the account is active and has sufficient funds. If the account is fine, contact your bank to ask whether they're blocking Amazon's requests. You can also unlink the account from Amazon and relink it to force a new verification, though this will require the test deposit process again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one Amazon account?
Yes. You can add more than one bank account to your Amazon Pay profile. Each account goes through the same verification process with test deposits. You can choose which account to use at checkout, or set one as your default payment method.
Is it safe to link my bank account to Amazon?
Yes, the connection uses encryption and tokenization, which means Amazon doesn't store your actual account number. Your bank controls the token and can revoke it anytime. You also have the same fraud protections from your bank that you would for any other transaction.
What if I don't receive the test deposits from Amazon?
Test deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. If you don't see them after three business days, check your bank account's pending transactions or contact your bank to confirm the deposits haven't been held. If your bank blocked them, you'll need to contact your bank's fraud team and ask them to allow Amazon's deposits through.
Can I use my linked bank account at stores other than Amazon?
Yes, if the retailer accepts Amazon Pay. Many online stores, subscription services, and some in-person retailers now accept Amazon Pay as a payment option. At checkout, look for the Amazon Pay button. You'll be redirected to Amazon to confirm the payment, and the charge will come from your linked bank account.
What do I do if I want to unlink my bank account?
Go to Your Account > Login & Security > Linked accounts and subscriptions, find your bank account in the list, and click Remove. The account is unlinked when ready. Any pending charges will still process, but no new charges can be made after you remove it.