Connecting an external bank account allows you to securely link another financial institution to your Bluevine account. This connection is established through Plaid,¹  a third-party provider that lets you sign in to your bank and select the account you want to link. Once connected, we may access limited account information,² such as balances and recent transactions, to support features like transfers, account verification, or application reviews.

Tip: In some cases, linking an account with at least six months of transaction history is recommended for the best results. However, connecting an external bank account does not guarantee faster approvals, increased limits, or reduced processing times. Regular account usage may also help build history over time, even if you do not connect an external bank account.

How to connect an external bank account

You can usually connect an external bank account from either the Bluevine web dashboard or mobile app.

On desktop or web

1. Sign in to your Bluevine dashboard.
2. Go to External Accounts or the equivalent section in your account settings or navigation menu.
3. Select Add Bank Account.

4. In the Plaid module, search for your bank and select the correct option from the list.
5. Enter your bank login credentials.
6. Complete any multi-factor authentication or security prompts, if required.
7. Select the account you want to connect.
8. Confirm the connection and wait for verification.

If more than one version of your bank appears in the search results, choose the option that matches the exact sign-in experience you use on your bank’s website, such as business versus personal banking. In some cases, all eligible accounts may be detected, but only the account you select will be set up for the intended use, such as transfers or ongoing verification.

Once the connection is successful, the account may appear as "Verified" or "Connected" in your External Accounts list.

On mobile

1. Sign in to the mobile app.
2. Go to External Accounts.
3. Tap Add Bank Account and then Continue.
4. In the Plaid module, enter your phone number or continue as a guest.
5. Search for and select your bank.
6. Enter your online banking credentials for your external bank.

7. Complete any required authentication steps.
8. Select the account you want to connect.
9. Confirm the connection and wait for verification.

How to view connected external bank accounts

In the External Accounts section on your Bluevine dashboard, you can set your primary external bank account, plus view, delete, or connect any other external accounts to your Bluevine account. 

How to set your primary bank account

An externally connected primary bank can be designated as the primary account for a specific purpose, such as:

• loan or payment repayment
• recurring withdrawals
• funding activity
• default transfer activity

This account designation is important because it is the primary account used to evaluate lending eligibility and/or other qualification criteria.

A bank account must be connected first before it can be selected as the primary bank account. Then, you can select it as your primary bank account by updating your connected external accounts.

1. Sign in to your Bluevine dashboard.
2. Go to External Accounts.
3. Select the account you want to use.
   • If the account is not yet linked, connect it first.
4. Open the menu or settings icon next to that account.
5. Select Make primary.

6. Confirm the update if prompted. 

In some cases, you may only see the option to set an account as primary after the connection is complete. If you already have a primary bank account on file, you may need to open the settings for that account or the newly connected account to make the change.

Troubleshooting bank connection issues

Sometimes the account appears connected, but transfers, updates, or data refreshes still fail. This can happen if your bank changed its login or security settings, your credentials were updated, or the account has restrictions on external transfers. Reconnecting the account often resolves the issue. You may also need to confirm directly with your bank that the account supports the type of activity you’re trying to complete.

If your bank connection is not working, there are a few common reasons. Before troubleshooting:

• Make sure you’re using a stable internet connection and an up-to-date browser or app. 
• Try connecting from a desktop or laptop for the most reliable experience.
• Try clearing your browser cache and cookies or using an Incognito window.
• Ensure the external bank’s online services are operational.

If issues persist, use the table below to troubleshoot:

How to reconnect an external bank account

If your account becomes disconnected or stops working properly, you may be able to reconnect it.

1. Sign in to your Bluevine dashboard.
2. Go to External Accounts.
3. Select the menu, settings icon, or gear icon next to the affected account.
4. Choose Reconnect, or remove the account and add it again.
5. Re-enter your bank credentials and complete any security steps.

If the bank connection was disconnected, you may also receive a notification by email or within your dashboard. A disconnected bank connection generally does not affect pending debits or credits already in progress, though you may need to reverify the account to restore full functionality. 

How to remove or delete a connected external bank account

You can usually remove a linked bank account from either the web dashboard or mobile app.

On desktop or web

1. Sign in to your Bluevine dashboard.
2. Go to External Accounts.
3. Find the account you want to remove.
4. Open the menu or settings icon for that account.
5. Select Delete or Remove.
6. Confirm the deletion.

On mobile

1. Sign in to the mobile app.
2. Go to External Accounts.
3. Select the bank account you want to remove.
4. Tap Delete bank or Remove account.
5. Confirm the deletion.

Still need help?

If you’ve already tried reconnecting your bank, verified your login credentials, waited through any pending period, and the connection is still not working, contact support for additional help. It’s useful to include the name of your bank and any error messages you’re seeing. If your bank is not supported, support may also be able to help you explore manual verification or document-upload options. You can also try again later or check out our General Troubleshooting Tips.

Frequently asked questions

What if my bank isn’t listed?

Not all banks are compatible with Plaid¹. If you cannot find your bank when searching, your institution may not currently be supported. If that happens, you may need to provide your bank information another way, such as manually uploading bank statements or contacting support to ask whether your institution can be added in the future.

Can I still use my account if I don’t connect an external bank account?

Usually, yes. In many cases, you can continue building account history through regular use even if you do not connect an external bank account. 

For Bluevine Line of Credit accounts, you are able to submit bank statements manually instead of using a live bank connection. However, manually uploading documents may take longer and require repeated submissions over time.

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^{2 Please refer to Bluevine’s Privacy Policy for more information on our collection, storage, use, and sharing of information.}