Linking an external bank account to Chase allows you to move money between your Chase account and accounts you hold at other U.S. banks. The process can be completed directly from the Chase mobile app, and once the account is verified, you can transfer money between your connected accounts without using wire transfers or writing checks.
This guide explains exactly how to link an external account to Chase, including the two verification methods available, what information you may need, and how to transfer money after the account is connected.
How to Link an External Account to Chase
To link an external account to Chase, start by opening the Chase mobile app and signing in to your account.
From the main screen:
- Tap Pay & Transfer at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down past the activity section.
- Find and tap Manage external accounts.
- Tap Add an external account.
You will be taken to the Choose an account screen. Any external accounts you have already linked will appear here. To add another bank account, tap Link an external account.
Chase supports thousands of banks and credit unions, so your financial institution will likely be available. You can select one of the popular banks displayed on the screen or use the search bar to find your bank.
Keep in mind that this feature is intended for U.S. bank accounts.
Choose How to Add Your External Bank Account
After selecting your bank, Chase will give you two ways to connect the account.
Option 1: Sign In to Your Bank
The fastest option is to sign in to your external bank through the Chase linking process.
You will select your bank, continue through the connection process, and sign in using your bank’s username and password. The account can typically be verified almost immediately.
Chase uses Yodlee, a financial data connectivity service, to facilitate this type of account connection. Your bank credentials are used to verify the account and establish the connection rather than being stored by Chase.
Option 2: Enter Your Account Information Manually
If you don’t want to provide your external bank login credentials through the connection process, you can enter the account information yourself.
You’ll generally need:
- Your bank’s routing number
- Your bank account number
- The type of bank account you’re linking
Chase will then make two small test deposits into your external account. These deposits are usually only a few cents each.
You’ll need to wait for the deposits to appear, check the exact amounts in your other bank account, and then return to Chase to confirm the amounts. Once the deposits are successfully verified, the external account will be linked.
This method takes longer, but it can be useful if you prefer not to use the instant bank-login option.
How Yodlee Bank Linking Works
When you choose the instant verification method, Chase uses Yodlee to establish the connection with your external financial institution.
Before continuing, Chase will show you information about the data that will be shared and the applicable terms and conditions.
You’ll then be redirected to your bank’s authentication and consent page. Always check the website address before entering your credentials. Make sure you’re on your actual bank’s website and that the domain looks correct.
Your bank may ask you to authorize Chase or JPMorgan Chase Pay & Transfer to access certain information about your account.
The information requested may include:
- Account details
- Transaction information
- Account holder information
- Bank account numbers
This information is needed to verify ownership of the account and enable Chase to send and receive money.
After approving the connection, your external bank may display all of the eligible accounts associated with your profile. Select the bank account you want to connect and continue.
Only Link Bank Accounts for Moving Money
When selecting an account, make sure you’re choosing a bank account rather than a credit card.
An external account connection is designed to move money between deposit accounts, such as:
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Other eligible bank accounts
A credit card is a line of credit, not a deposit account. Attempting to move money from a credit card can result in a cash advance, which may come with fees and immediate interest charges.
Confirm and Authorize the Connection
After selecting your external bank account, Chase will show you a confirmation screen containing the account information and details about the data that will be accessed.
Review everything carefully.
If the information is correct, authorize the connection. You’ll then be returned to the Chase app.
Chase may ask you to give the newly linked account a nickname. This is simply for your own reference and can make it easier to identify the account when you make future transfers.
For example, you could use a name such as:
Capital One Savings
After entering the nickname, review the account information one final time and confirm the connection.
Once the process is complete, Chase will display a confirmation indicating that the external account has been verified and added.
The account should appear under Manage external accounts with an Active status.
How to Transfer Between Banks
Once you’ve successfully linked an external account to Chase, transferring money is straightforward.
Go back to Pay & Transfer and select the transfer option.
Then:
- Select the account you’re sending money from.
- Select the account you’re sending money to.
- Enter the amount.
- Review the transfer details.
- Confirm the transfer.
Transfers between linked bank accounts generally take two to three business days to arrive.
That processing time is normal for bank-to-bank transfers and isn’t necessarily a delay caused by Chase. Plan accordingly if you need the money to arrive by a particular date.
How Many External Accounts Can You Link to Chase?
You can link multiple external bank accounts to Chase. This is useful if you regularly move money between several financial institutions.
For example, you might have:
- A Chase checking account
- A savings account at another bank
- An online savings account
- Another checking account at a separate institution
Connecting them to Chase can make it easier to manage transfers without repeatedly setting up new payment methods.
Make Sure the External Account Belongs to You
When you link an external account to Chase, make sure the account belongs to you.
The external account holder generally needs to match the Chase account holder. You shouldn’t use the external-account feature to connect someone else’s bank account, such as a spouse’s, roommate’s, or friend’s account, unless Chase specifically permits that arrangement.
Using an account that doesn’t meet Chase’s requirements could result in the transfer being rejected or the account connection being restricted.
Remove an External Account You No Longer Use
If you close your account at another bank or simply stop using a previously connected account, it’s a good idea to remove it from Chase.
Return to Manage external accounts, select the account you no longer need, and follow the prompts to remove it.
Keeping your list of connected accounts up to date makes it easier to identify the correct account when you’re making a transfer and reduces unnecessary connections.
How to Avoid Wire Fees by Linking Accounts
One of the biggest advantages of linking an external account to Chase is that you can avoid using wire transfers simply to move money between your own bank accounts.
Wire transfers can cost money, depending on the banks and type of transfer involved. Writing checks to move money between your own accounts is also slow and inconvenient.
By linking your external accounts to Chase, you can transfer money electronically between eligible accounts without relying on a wire transfer every time.
For routine transfers between your own U.S. bank accounts, an external-account connection can therefore be a much simpler and more convenient option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link an external account to Chase from the mobile app?
Yes. You can link an external bank account directly through the Chase mobile app by going to Pay & Transfer and then Manage external accounts.
How long does it take to link an external account to Chase?
If you use instant verification through your bank login, the connection can generally be completed within minutes. If you enter your routing and account numbers manually, you’ll need to wait for Chase’s test deposits before confirming the account.
Does Chase charge a fee to transfer money between linked accounts?
Standard transfers between linked bank accounts can generally be made without a transfer fee, although you should always review the transfer details shown in your Chase app before confirming.
Can I link a savings account to Chase?
Yes. Eligible checking and savings accounts can be connected as external accounts.
Can I link a credit card as an external account?
No. External account linking is intended for eligible bank accounts used to move money. A credit card is a credit facility rather than a deposit account.
Is it safe to link an external bank account to Chase?
Chase provides multiple ways to verify an external account. If you use the instant connection method, you will be taken through an authentication and authorization process involving your financial institution. Always verify that you’re on the legitimate website or app before entering sensitive login information.
Can I remove a linked external account later?
Yes. You can manage your connected accounts through Manage external accounts and remove an account you no longer use.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to link an external account to Chase can make moving money between your own banks much easier. You can either verify the account instantly through your financial institution or enter the routing and account numbers manually and confirm the small test deposits.
Once your external account is active, you’ll be able to select it when making eligible transfers from Chase. For people who regularly move money between different banks, linking an external account to Chase can save time and eliminate the need to rely on wire transfers or paper checks.
