You can change your linked bank account in Venmo's settings, but the process depends on whether you want to add a new account, replace an existing one, or remove one entirely
Venmo stores your bank account information to pull money in (for transfers to friends) and push money out (when you cash out your balance). Changing which account Venmo uses takes about two minutes and happens entirely in the app. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're adding a second account, swapping your primary account, or deleting one you no longer use.
Your Venmo balance itself stays in Venmo's system—it doesn't live in your bank account. When you change your linked bank account, you're only changing where Venmo pulls from and pushes to. Any money already in your Venmo balance remains there until you cash it out to whichever bank account you've set as your default.
Key Takeaways
- Open Venmo, tap the three horizontal lines (menu), select Settings, then Payments, then Banks and Cards to see all linked accounts.
- To add a new bank account, tap "Add a Bank Account" and enter your routing and account numbers; Venmo will verify it with two small deposits.
- To change which account is your default for cash-outs, tap the account you want to use and select "Make Default" or similar option.
- Removing a bank account is permanent and when ready—Venmo will not let you cash out to that account again without re-adding it.
- If Venmo rejects your bank account during verification, check that your routing number matches your bank's official records, not a deposit slip.
Finding your linked bank accounts in Venmo
Start in the Venmo app on your phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. From there, tap Payments, then Banks and Cards. This screen shows every bank account and debit card you've linked to Venmo, which one is set as your default, and options to add, change, or remove accounts.
If you see only one account listed and it's grayed out or marked as "pending," Venmo is still verifying it. Verification usually takes one to two business days. During that time, you cannot use the account to transfer money or cash out. If it stays pending longer than that, the account may have been rejected—check your email for a message from Venmo explaining why.
Adding a new bank account to Venmo
From the Banks and Cards screen, tap Add a Bank Account. Venmo will ask you to enter your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank and branch; you can find it on a check, on your bank's website, or by calling your bank directly. Do not use the number from a deposit slip—those sometimes differ from the official routing number.
After you submit this information, Venmo will send two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account within one to two business days. You'll need to log into your bank account, find these deposits, and return to Venmo to enter the exact amounts. This is how Venmo confirms you own the account. Once you confirm the amounts correctly, the account becomes active and you can use it when ready.
If Venmo rejects your account during this process, the most common reason is an incorrect routing number. Double-check the number against your bank's official website or call your bank to confirm. If the number is correct and Venmo still rejects it, your bank may not allow third-party connections to Venmo, or there may be a temporary issue with your account at the bank. Contact Venmo support through the app (tap the menu, then Help) to troubleshoot further.
Changing your default bank account for cash-outs
Your default account is where Venmo sends money when you cash out your balance. To change it, go to Banks and Cards, find the account you want to use, and tap it. Look for an option that says Make Default, Set as Primary, or a similar phrase. Tap it, and that account becomes your new default when ready. The next time you cash out, the money will go to this account instead.
If you have only one bank account linked, it is automatically your default and you cannot change it. You must add a second account first if you want to switch. Venmo will not let you set a debit card as your default for cash-outs—only a bank account can receive cash-out transfers.
Removing a bank account from Venmo
To delete a linked bank account, go to Banks and Cards, tap the account, and look for a Remove, Delete, or trash icon option. Tap it and confirm. The account is removed when ready and permanently. Venmo will not let you cash out to that account again unless you re-add it and go through verification a second time.
You cannot remove your default account if it's the only account linked to Venmo. You must add a new account and make it default first, then you can remove the old one. This prevents you from accidentally locking yourself out of your own money.
What happens to your Venmo balance when you change accounts
Changing your linked bank account does not move or affect your Venmo balance. The balance stays in Venmo until you cash it out. If you change your default account and then cash out, the money goes to your new default account. If you remove an account without setting a new default first, you straightforward cannot cash out until you add a new account and make it default.
This is why Venmo requires you to always have at least one active bank account linked if you want to use the service. Without one, you can still receive money from other Venmo users, but you cannot move it out of Venmo into your own bank.
Troubleshooting common problems when changing accounts
If Venmo won't let you add a new account, check that you've entered your routing number correctly—this is the most common reason for rejection. Call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number; do not rely on a check or deposit slip. If the number is correct and Venmo still rejects it, your bank may have blocked Venmo's access. Contact your bank and ask if they've flagged Venmo as a third-party service and whether they can allow it.
If you're trying to remove an account and Venmo won't let you, it's because that account is your only linked account or your current default. Add a new account first, make it your default, and then you can remove the old one. If you're stuck in verification (the account shows as pending for more than two days), check your email for a message from Venmo. If there's no message, open the Venmo app, go to Help, and contact support with your account details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. When you tap Add a Bank Account, Venmo asks you to specify whether it's a checking or savings account. Both work for transfers and cash-outs. Savings accounts may take slightly longer to process transfers because of how banks route them, but Venmo handles the timing on its end.
What if I want to use a different bank account just for one transfer?
You cannot choose a different account for a single transfer. Venmo always pulls from your default account. If you want to use a different account, you must change your default first, make the transfer, then change it back if needed.
How long does it take for Venmo to verify a new bank account?
Venmo sends two small test deposits within one to two business days. Once you see them in your bank account and enter the amounts in Venmo, the account is active when ready. The entire process usually takes two to three business days from when you first enter your account information.
Can I link a joint bank account?
Yes, as long as you have access to the account and can verify it. Venmo will send the test deposits to the account, and you can confirm them. Both account holders can use the same Venmo account if they share the login, but Venmo itself is tied to one person's identity.
What happens if I delete my bank account and then want to use Venmo again?
You'll need to add a bank account again and go through verification a second time. Venmo will send new test deposits, and you'll confirm the amounts just as you did the first time. There's no waiting period—you can re-add the same account when ready after removing it.