Where to find the bank account settings in Stripe

Log into your Stripe account and go to Settings in the left sidebar. Under the Settings menu, select Bank accounts and transfers. This page shows every bank account connected to your Stripe account, which one is currently active (marked as default), and the status of each one.

If you have only one bank account linked, you will see it listed with its last four digits and the bank name. If you have multiple accounts, they all appear on this same page. The account marked "Default" is where Stripe sends your payouts unless you change it.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your default payout bank account in Settings under Bank accounts and transfers, not by removing the old one.
  • Adding a new bank account requires your routing number, account number, and account holder name — Stripe will verify it with two small deposits.
  • Verification takes one to two business days, and you must confirm the deposit amounts in your bank before the account becomes active.
  • You can keep old bank accounts linked without using them, or remove them entirely if you no longer need them.
  • Changing your default account takes effect on your next scheduled payout, which usually happens within two to three business days.

Adding a new bank account to your Stripe account

Click the Add bank account button on the Bank accounts and transfers page. Stripe will ask for the account holder's name (the person or business name on the account), the routing number, and the account number. Have your bank statement or online banking login ready — these numbers are on your statement or in the account details section of your bank's website.

Enter the information exactly as it appears at your bank. Stripe is strict about matching — if the account holder name does not match what your bank has on file, verification will fail. After you submit, Stripe will send two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to the account within one to two business days.

Check your bank account online or wait for your statement to see the deposit amounts. You will need these exact amounts to confirm the account in Stripe. Go back to the Bank accounts and transfers page, find the account you just added (it will show a "Pending verification" status), and click it to enter the two deposit amounts.

Confirming your bank account after Stripe's test deposits

Once you enter the correct deposit amounts, Stripe will mark the account as verified. This usually happens when ready, though it can take a few minutes. After verification, the account is ready to use as your payout destination.

If you enter the amounts incorrectly, Stripe will tell you and let you try again. You have a limited number of attempts (usually around 10) before you have to start the process over with a new bank account. If you cannot find the deposits in your bank account, check that you are looking at the right account and that enough time has passed — deposits sometimes take longer than expected, especially if your bank processes them on weekends.

Setting a new bank account as your default payout destination

Once your new account is verified, click on it in the Bank accounts and transfers list. You will see a button or option to Make default. Click it. Stripe will confirm that this account is now your default, and all future payouts will go there instead of your old account.

The change takes effect on your next scheduled payout. Stripe normally sends payouts every two to three business days, depending on your account history and the day of the week. Your first payout to the new account will appear within that window. You do not need to wait for the payout to complete before removing your old account — you can remove it when ready if you want.

Removing an old bank account from Stripe

If you no longer need an old bank account, you can remove it from your Stripe account. Find the account in the Bank accounts and transfers list, click on it, and look for a Remove or Delete button (the exact wording varies). Stripe will ask you to confirm that you want to remove it.

You cannot remove your default account — you must set a different account as default first, then remove the old one. Once removed, the account is gone from your Stripe account and cannot be used for payouts. If you change your mind later, you will have to add it again and go through the verification process.

Removing an account does not affect payouts that have already been sent to it. If money was transferred to that account before you removed it, the transfer is complete and the account removal does not reverse it.

What happens if verification fails

Stripe will reject a bank account if the account holder name does not match your bank's records, if the routing or account number is wrong, or if the account is closed. When this happens, Stripe shows an error message on the Bank accounts and transfers page explaining why the account could not be verified.

The most common reason is a mismatch in the account holder name. If your bank account is under "Jane Smith" but you entered "Jane M. Smith" or "J. Smith", verification will fail. Go back and edit the account holder name to match exactly what your bank has on file, then try again. If the routing or account number is wrong, delete the account and add it again with the correct numbers.

Timing and what to expect during the change

The entire process from adding a new account to receiving your first payout there takes roughly one week. The verification deposits arrive within one to two business days, you confirm them (usually when ready), and then your next scheduled payout goes to the new account within two to three business days after that. If you add an account on a Friday, the deposits may not arrive until Tuesday, pushing the timeline out further.

During this time, your old account remains your default and continues to receive payouts until you change it. There is no gap in payouts — money does not stop flowing while you set up a new account. Once you make the new account default, payouts switch over on the next cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple bank accounts and switch between them?

Yes. You can add as many bank accounts as you need and keep them all verified and linked to your Stripe account. Only one can be your default at any time, but you can change which one is default whenever you want. This is useful if you have separate business and personal accounts or if you want to move payouts to a different bank.

What if my bank account information changes?

If your bank merges, your account number changes, or you switch banks entirely, you need to add the new account to Stripe as a separate entry. You cannot edit an existing account's routing or account number — you have to remove the old one and add the new one. The verification process is the same each time.

How long does it take for money to show up in my new bank account?

Stripe sends the payout, but your bank controls how long it takes to arrive. Most banks deposit Stripe transfers within one to two business days. Some banks take longer, especially for transfers from out-of-state banks or if the transfer arrives on a weekend. Check with your bank if a payout does not appear within three business days.

Can I remove a bank account if payouts are still pending to it?

You can remove an account even if a payout is in progress, but the payout will still go through. Removing the account does not cancel transfers that have already been sent. Once the payout completes, the account removal is final.

What if I accidentally set the wrong account as default?

Go back to the Bank accounts and transfers page, click on the correct account, and click Make default again. The change takes effect on your next payout cycle. There is no penalty for changing your mind — you can switch back and forth as many times as you need.