What Is Plaid?
Plaid is a secure service used by many companies to help you safely connect your bank account for payments. Using Plaid allows you to log in with your bank's online credentials, instantly verify that you own the account, and avoid typing errors to reduce payment failures, rather than manually entering routing and account numbers.
Your bank login information is encrypted, never stored, and never shared with the company you're paying.
Steps to Connect Your Bank Account with Plaid
When connecting your bank, you can expect the following steps:
Select Your Bank: Choose your financial institution from Plaid's list.
Enter Your Online Banking Login: Use the same username and password you normally use to access online banking. Plaid uses this secure login to confirm you own the account.
Your credentials are encrypted, never visible to the merchant, and are never stored or reused.
Complete Any Security Steps Required by Your Bank: This may include verification codes sent by text or email, security questions, or approving the login in your mobile banking app.
Choose Your Account: If you have multiple checking or savings accounts, select the one you'd like to use.
Confirmation: Plaid will securely verify the connection and return you to the merchant's website or checkout page.
Tips for a Smooth Plaid Experience
Use the same device you normally use for online banking.
Make sure your contact information is current with your bank.
Disable pop-up blockers if the Plaid window does not open.
Turn off VPNs, which can interfere with authentication.
Try again during normal banking hours if your bank appears offline.
FAQ
Q: Is Plaid safe?
A: Yes, Plaid is widely trusted across the financial industry. Your bank login is never shared with the merchant. Your information is encrypted and securely tokenized. Plaid does not store or retain your credentials.
Q: Can I manually enter my bank account information instead of using Plaid?
A: In most cases, Plaid is required to ensure your bank information is verified securely and correctly. If you do not see a manual-entry option available, Plaid is required for your transaction. Not all platforms support manual entry due to security and risk requirements.Common Plaid Issues and How to Fix Them
Issue: "Invalid Credentials"
Description: The username or password entered doesn't match what your bank has on file.
How to fix it:
Make sure you're using your online banking login (not a debit card PIN).
Try logging in directly on your bank's website—if that doesn't work, Plaid will not work either.
Check that Caps Lock isn't on.
If you recently changed your password, use the updated login.
Issue: "Insufficient Credentials"
Description: Some banks require an extra verification step, such as a text message code or answering a security question.
How to fix it:
Have access to the phone or email linked to your bank for verification codes.
Complete any security questions prompted by your bank.
Update your bank's contact information if your phone number or email has changed.
Issue: "Institution Not Responding"
Description: Your bank is temporarily unavailable or experiencing technical issues.
How to fix it:
Wait 10–30 minutes and try again.
Try a different browser or device.
Check whether your bank's website or mobile app is functioning normally.