How to add a second bank account to venmo

At a Glance: The only way to add money to your Venmo balance (besides having someone send you money on Venmo) is to sign up for a Venmo debit card, link your bank account to it, then use it to transfer money into your Venmo account. You can also use a debit/credit card or bank account to make payments with Venmo, but you can’t transfer money to your Venmo balance with these.

Venmo is a convenient way to send, receive and spend money using only a smartphone. To use your Venmo account, you need to add money to it or have a linked payment method. If you are not sure how to add money to Venmo, read on to learn the details. 

  • How to Add Money to Venmo Overview
  • Add Money to Venmo from Your Bank Account
  • Add Money to Venmo from a Credit or Debit Card
  • Add Money to Your Venmo Balance
  • Other Options to Fund Venmo Accounts
  • Read More
  • Final Thoughts

How to Add Money to Venmo Overview

What is Venmo

Venmo is a mobile payment service from PayPal. Venmo allows people to send and receive money using a smartphone application. Venmo also allows merchants to receive payments from people using the service.

Ways to Add Money to Venmo

There are several different ways to make funds available to use in your Venmo account. These include:

  • Bank transfer
  • Direct deposit
  • Check deposit
  • Credit card
  • Debit card.

The details of the different ways to fund a Venmo account are explained below. 

Add Money to Venmo from Your Bank Account

One solution for adding money to Venmo is to add it directly from a normal bank account to your Venmo balance. The instructions below outline how to add money to Venmo from your bank account.

Only holders of a Venmo-issued debit card from Mastercard can directly add funds from their bank account to their Venmo balance. That means you have to first apply for and receive a Venmo debit card:

  1. Open the Venmo app
  2. Go to the Cards tab
  3. Under Venmo Debit Card select the option to Get Started.

After you receive your Venmo debit card, you need to link your bank account to your Venmo account:

  1. Select the You tab
  2. From the Settings menu, choose Payment Methods
  3. Tap Add a Bank or Card
  4. Select Bank
  5. Choose your preferred verification method.

Once your bank account is verified, you can initiate the transfer from your bank account:

  1. Select the You tab
  2. At the top of the personal transactions feed, choose Add or Transfer
  3. Enter the amount you want to transfer, then tap Done
  4. Confirm which linked account you want to transfer from, then tap Next
  5. Double-check the details in the summary and the estimated arrival date
  6. If you are happy with everything, select Add Money.

Please note you cannot cancel a bank transfer to your Venmo account after you initiate it. After you select Add Money, the transaction can no longer be canceled or reversed.

After you transfer money from your bank account to your Venmo account, the funds should be added to your Venmo balance within 3 to 5 business days. 

If you initiate the transaction on a weekend or public holiday, the process will only begin on the next business day.

If you are unable to get a Venmo debit card, you can explore some of the other methods of how to add money to Venmo outlined below.

Add Money to Venmo from a Credit or Debit Card

The only way to add money directly to your Venmo balance is by using a bank transfer from a linked bank account.

However, it is possible to send money to people using Venmo even if your balance is zero. You can do this through a linked payment method. 

When you send money to a friend or pay a seller, the money will come from your linked payment method rather than your Venmo balance if the payment or transfer amount is larger than your Venmo balance.

You don’t need to have a positive Venmo balance to send money using Venmo. You just need a verified payment method. One of the payment methods you can use is a credit or debit card issued by your bank. 

Follow the steps below to link your credit or debit card to your Venmo account:

  1. Open the Venmo app
  2. Select the You tab
  3. From the Settings menu, select Payment Methods
  4. Tap Add a Bank or Card
  5. Select Card
  6. Add your card information.

You can use your phone’s camera to add your credit or debit card information quickly and easily. You can also enter the card number and other details manually if you prefer.

Once your card is linked, you can select it as the payment method when you want to send money or pay a merchant using Venmo. 

Please note that payments funded by credit cards are subject to a 3% fee unless the purchase is made from selected merchants.

Add Money to Your Venmo Balance

The only way you can add money directly to your Venmo balance yourself at any time is if you transfer it from a linked bank account. However, you only have this option if you have applied for and been issued a Venmo debit card.

Venmo Direct Deposit

The other option for adding money directly to your Venmo account is to arrange for your paychecks to be deposited directly into your Venmo account. To set up direct deposit, follow the steps shown below:

  1. Open the Venmo app
  2. Select the You tab
  3. From the Setting menu, select Direct Deposit
  4. Select Show Account Number
  5. Take note of the account information and routing number shown
  6. Use these details to fill out your employer’s direct deposit information form.

If you are asked for the name and address of your bank when filling out the form, you can get the details of Venmo’s partner bank from the Venmo customer support website at help.venmo.com.

Once you have filled out the direct deposit information, it is up to your employer to begin depositing funds into your Venmo account. It may take up to two pay cycles for changes in direct deposit details to take effect. 

Once you have set up direct deposit, your paychecks will begin adding to your Venmo balance.

Other Options to Fund Venmo Accounts

If the above options are not suitable for you, there are a few other ways to fund your Venmo account:

  • Ask a friend: You can arrange to give someone cash in exchange for them using Venmo to send you money. This money will immediately reflect in your Venmo balance. Only use this method with people you trust completely. It is extremely easy to get scammed in this way.
  • Venmo debit card reload: the reload feature of the Venmo debit card allows you to spend more than your Venmo balance by withdrawing the shortfall from your linked bank account.
  • Cash a cheque service: This service is only available if you have a Venmo debit card or you have set up direct deposit. Follow the instructions to cash a cheque using Venmo:
  • Select the You tab
  • Select Manage Balance
  • Selec Cash a Cheque
  • You will be prompted to enter the amount, then take photos of the front and back of the cheque
  • Choose how quickly you want to have access to your funds (faster costs more in fees)
  • Wait while the request is processed. It could take up to 1.5 hours, but usually no more than a few minutes
  • If your request is approved, you will be asked to write VOID on your cheque. Do not do this before you are asked to.
  • You will be asked to take photos of the voided cheque
  • You will be shown a summary page showing the details of your cheque cashing
  • The funds will be available after 10 days or in a few minutes, depending on which option you chose.

Please note for most purposes, you do not need to add money to your Venmo balance to use Venmo. You can send money and pay using Venmo using linked payment methods, even when your Venmo balance is insufficient. 

You can always check what payment method you are currently using by looking at the bottom of the screen where you enter payment details.

Read More

  • How to Cancel a Venmo Payment
  • How to Set Up a Venmo Account
  • How Does Venmo Make Money?
  • How to Close a Venmo Account
  • How to Use Venmo

Final Thoughts

There are several methods of how to add money to Venmo. You can transfer directly from your bank account, or arrange a direct deposit of your paycheck to add to your Venmo balance. However, you do not need to have a Venmo balance to use the app, you can send money using Venmo through a linked payment method. It takes 3-5 business days for a bank transfer of funds to reflect on your Venmo balance. There is no delay when sending or paying using linked payment methods.


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How to add a second bank account to venmo

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How to add a second bank account to venmo

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.