Yes, you can change your Stripe bank account, but the process depends on whether you're updating an existing account or removing one entirely
Stripe lets you add, update, and remove bank accounts tied to your account. You can change which account receives payouts, update routing or account numbers if they change, or disconnect a bank entirely. The steps are straightforward, but timing matters—changes don't take effect when ready, and Stripe may need to verify the new account before payouts resume.
What you cannot do is change a bank account that's currently in the middle of a payout or verification process. If Stripe is actively sending money to your current account, you'll need to wait for that transfer to complete before switching. Similarly, if you're in the verification phase (when Stripe deposits small test amounts to confirm the account is real), you have to finish that process or start over with a new account.
Key Takeaways
- You can add a new bank account and set it as your primary payout destination from your Stripe dashboard under Settings > Bank Accounts.
- Stripe may require verification of a new account by depositing small test amounts, which takes one to two business days to appear.
- Removing an old bank account is permanent and cannot be undone, so confirm you have the correct new account before deleting the old one.
- Payouts to a newly added account typically begin within one to two business days after verification is complete, but do not happen when ready.
- If your bank account information changes (new routing number, account number, or bank name), update it in Stripe rather than adding a duplicate account.
How to add a new bank account in Stripe
Log into your Stripe dashboard and go to Settings, then select Bank Accounts from the left menu. Click the button to add a new account. You'll enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account holder's name exactly as it appears at your bank. Stripe will ask whether this is a checking or savings account.
After you submit this information, Stripe deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into the account within one to two business days. You'll see these deposits in your bank statement with a reference code. Return to Stripe, go back to the Bank Accounts section, and enter both deposit amounts to confirm you own the account. Once verified, Stripe sets this as your primary payout account automatically, and payouts begin within one to two business days.
If you're adding an account at a different bank than your current one, make sure the routing number is correct—a wrong routing number will fail verification and you'll have to start over. If you're unsure of your routing number, your bank's website or a call to customer service will provide it.
Updating an existing bank account without removing it
If your bank account information changed—for example, your bank merged with another and assigned you a new routing number, or you switched from checking to savings at the same bank—you can update the account details without deleting and re-adding. Go to Settings > Bank Accounts, find the account, and look for an edit or update option. Not all account details can be changed; if Stripe won't let you edit a field, you'll need to remove the old account and add a new one.
When you update an account, Stripe may require re-verification with new test deposits. Check your dashboard to see whether verification is needed. If it is, the same process applies: wait for the deposits, enter the amounts, and payouts resume once confirmed.
Removing a bank account and what happens to pending payouts
To remove a bank account, go to Settings > Bank Accounts, find the account you want to delete, and select the remove or delete option. Stripe will ask you to confirm—this action is permanent and cannot be reversed. Once deleted, Stripe cannot send payouts to that account, even if you change your mind later.
If you have a payout scheduled to go to the account you're about to remove, Stripe will not send it. Instead, the payout will fail or be held. Before you remove an account, check your Payouts section to see whether any transfers are pending. If they are, either wait for them to complete or contact Stripe support to discuss your options.
After you remove an account, you must have at least one other bank account on file before Stripe will process new payouts. If you're removing your only account, add a new one first, verify it, and then delete the old one.
Timing: when payouts start after you change accounts
The timeline depends on whether the new account needs verification. If you're adding a completely new account, expect one to two business days for Stripe's test deposits to appear, plus the time it takes you to verify them (usually the same day you see them). Once verified, payouts to the new account begin within one to two business days.
If you're straightforward switching between two accounts that are already verified, the change takes effect more quickly—usually within one business day. However, any payout that was already scheduled to your old account will still go there; only new payouts after the switch will use the new account.
Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. federal holidays. Weekend changes or changes made on a holiday may take longer to process.
What to do if verification fails or gets stuck
If you enter the test deposit amounts incorrectly, Stripe will reject them and you'll have to wait for a new pair of test deposits, which takes another one to two business days. Check your bank statement carefully—the deposits are small and straightforward to miss, and they may appear under a different name than you expect (often "Stripe" or a reference code).
If test deposits never appear after two business days, the routing number or account number is likely wrong. Delete the account from Stripe and add it again with the correct information. Contact your bank if you're unsure whether the routing number is correct for your specific branch.
If you've been stuck in verification for more than a week, contact Stripe support directly through your dashboard. Go to Help in the bottom left corner and select Contact Support. Have your bank account details and the date you added the account ready.
Changing accounts if you have multiple Stripe accounts
If you run more than one Stripe account (for different businesses, for example), each account has its own bank account settings. Changing the bank account on one Stripe account does not affect the others. Log into each account separately and update the bank account information for each one you need to change.
If you're consolidating multiple Stripe accounts into one, you'll need to update the bank account on the account you're keeping and remove the old accounts. Stripe does not merge accounts, so you'll have to manage this manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account while a payout is in progress?
No. If Stripe is actively sending money to your current account, you must wait for that payout to complete before switching. Check your Payouts section to see the status of any transfers in progress. Once the payout lands in your bank account, you can change your bank account information in Stripe.
What happens to money that was supposed to go to my old bank account?
If you remove a bank account before a scheduled payout completes, that payout will fail. Stripe will hold the funds and typically retry sending them to your new account if you've added one. If you have questions about a failed payout, contact Stripe support with the payout ID from your dashboard.
Do I need to verify a new account every time I add one?
Yes. Every new bank account added to Stripe requires verification with test deposits, even if you've verified accounts at the same bank before. This is a security measure to confirm you own the account. The process takes one to two business days.
Can I have multiple bank accounts on Stripe at the same time?
Yes. You can add multiple bank accounts to a single Stripe account and switch between them as your primary payout destination. Only one account receives payouts at a time, but you can change which one whenever you need to. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep a backup account on file.
What if my bank rejects the test deposits from Stripe?
Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious. If your bank rejected Stripe's test deposits, contact your bank and ask them to allow deposits from Stripe. You may need to whitelist Stripe or confirm the deposits are legitimate. Once your bank accepts them, they'll appear in your statement and you can complete verification.