Adding a savings account takes three steps: open the app, go to Accounts, and select Add Account
To add a savings account to the U.S. Bank app, open the app on your phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select Accounts. Then tap Add Account and choose whether the account is at U.S. Bank or another institution. If it's a U.S. Bank account you already own, the app will find it automatically. If it's an external account, you'll enter the routing number and account number from a check or bank statement.
The entire process takes about five minutes if you have your account information ready. U.S. Bank accounts link when ready. External accounts may take one to two business days to verify, during which the app may show them as "pending" before they become fully active.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Bank savings accounts link when ready once you confirm them in the app; external accounts take one to two business days.
- You will need the routing number and account number from the account you want to add, which you can find on a check or your bank statement.
- The app uses the menu icon (three lines) to reach Accounts, not a tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Once linked, you can view balances, transfer money between accounts, and set up bill pay without leaving the app.
What information you need before you start
Gather your account details before opening the app. For a U.S. Bank savings account, you only need to know which account you want to add—the app will pull it from your profile. For a savings account at another bank, you need the routing number and account number.
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. The account number is unique to your account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or statements—they're listed there too. Some banks call the routing number the "ABA number" or "transit number," but it's the same thing.
Step-by-step: linking a U.S. Bank account
Open the U.S. Bank app and tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner. Select Accounts from the menu. At the bottom of your account list, tap Add Account. When prompted, select U.S. Bank as the institution.
The app will show you a list of U.S. Bank accounts associated with your login. Tap the savings account you want to add. The app will confirm the account number and ask you to verify it. Once you confirm, the account appears in your app when ready and you can begin using it right away.
Step-by-step: linking an external savings account
Open the U.S. Bank app, tap the menu icon, and select Accounts. Tap Add Account at the bottom. This time, select Other Financial Institution or search for your bank by name. If your bank appears in the list, select it; if not, you'll enter the routing number manually.
Enter your account number and confirm it. U.S. Bank will then verify the account by making two small deposits (usually between one and five cents each) into the account over the next one to two business days. You'll see the account listed as "pending" in your app during this time. Once the deposits arrive, the app will prompt you to enter the amounts of those deposits to confirm you own the account. After you confirm, the account becomes active and you can transfer money to and from it.
What happens after you add the account
Once the account is active, it appears in your Accounts list alongside your other linked accounts. You can view the balance, see recent transactions, and set up transfers without opening a separate app or logging into another website. The account will also appear as an option when you use U.S. Bank's bill pay feature or set up automatic transfers.
If you want to remove the account later, go back to Accounts, find the account in your list, tap the menu or settings icon next to it, and select Remove Account. Removing it from the app does not close the account or affect it at the other bank—it only removes it from your U.S. Bank app view.
Troubleshooting: account won't link or stays pending
If an external account stays pending longer than two business days, the verification deposits may not have arrived. Check the account at the other bank to see if the small deposits posted. If they did, return to the U.S. Bank app and look for a prompt asking you to confirm the deposit amounts. If you don't see a prompt, try logging out of the U.S. Bank app completely and logging back in.
If the account still won't link, the routing number or account number may be incorrect. Double-check both against a recent check or your bank statement. Some banks use different routing numbers for different branches or transaction types, so make sure you're using the routing number for the branch where the account is held. If you're still stuck, U.S. Bank customer service can verify the account information for you and troubleshoot why the link isn't working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a savings account from a credit union?
Yes. Select Other Financial Institution when adding the account and search for your credit union by name. If it appears in the list, select it. If not, you can enter the routing number manually. The verification process is the same as for any external bank account.
Do I need to give U.S. Bank my password for the other bank?
No. U.S. Bank does not ask for or store passwords to external accounts. You only provide the routing number and account number, which are public information. The verification deposits confirm you own the account without requiring your password.
Can I add a joint savings account?
Yes, if you are listed as an owner on the account. The account will appear in your U.S. Bank app and you can transfer money to and from it. The other owner can also add it to their U.S. Bank app using the same routing and account numbers.
What if I add the wrong account by mistake?
Go to Accounts, find the account you added, tap the menu or settings icon next to it, and select Remove Account. This removes it from your app only and does not affect the account itself. You can then add the correct account.
How long does it take to transfer money once the account is linked?
Transfers between U.S. Bank accounts are when ready. Transfers to or from an external account take one to two business days, depending on the other bank's processing time. Transfers initiated after 5 p.m. Central Time may not process until the next business day.