Before you can send or receive payments, you'll need to link a bank account. Connecting instantly with Plaid takes just 1-2 minutes, so you can skip the 1-2 day wait for micro-deposit verification.
Plaid creates an encrypted connection between your bank and Melio. This means Melio never sees or stores your banking credentials. All you'll need is your online banking username and password. Depending on your bank, you may also be asked to complete an additional security step to verify your identity.
To verify and connect your bank account with micro-deposits, please see the following guide.
To change your receiving method, please see the following guide.
Only users with the Owner, Admin, or Accountant role can connect a bank account. If you have a Contributor, Approver, or Viewer role, you won't see this option.
In this guide, we’ll cover the two ways you can connect your bank account instantly:
Connect your bank account instantly when making a payment
1- In your Pay dashboard, select + New payment.
2- On the Create bill page under Bill details, add the Vendor business name by typing in the search field and selecting from the dropdown. If you don’t see the vendor you are looking to pay, select + Add new vendor.
For help adding a vendor, you can check out this guide.
3- Fill in the Bill amount, Invoice #, Invoice date, Due date, Payment frequency, and a Note to self.
4- (Optional) Add line items to your bill.
5- (Optional) To attach an invoice, click Select or drop a file to upload an invoice image or file from your device. Review the automatically scanned details and make any necessary edits.
Melio accepts PDF, JPEG, JPG, and PNG files up to 10MB. Upload one invoice per file. The system will scan your invoice and autofill payment details, but always review for accuracy. Use Replace to upload a different file or Cancel to remove it entirely.
6- On the Pay bill page, select Add bank account under How you pay. This will open the Plaid connection popup window.
If you already have a bank account on file, but wish to add another, select the dropdown arrow to open the list of available bank accounts. Then, select + Add account. This will open the Plaid connection popup window.
7- Select Continue without phone number.
Registering your phone number with Plaid is optional and separate from your bank's security verification. It simply lets you skip this step the next time you connect a bank account.
If you have signed up with Plaid previously, or would like to sign up, enter your phone number and select Continue. Follow the 2FA text verification code prompts.
8- Select Instant to log into your bank to link instantly, then select Continue.
9- Select your bank from the list. You can scroll down or use the search bar to search for your bank.
If you don't see your bank listed, you'll need to manually connect your bank account and verify with a micro-deposit. This method takes about 1-2 days.
Scroll all the way down and select Link with account numbers.
From there, continue following the steps outlined in this guide.
10- Select Continue to log in to proceed.
11- Fill in your bank login credentials. This includes your username and password. Select Sign in to continue.
12- To verify your identity, choose your preferred verification method, then select Get code.
13- Under Verification, enter the code you received and select Submit.
14- Check the box next to the bank account you want to connect to your Melio account.
You will need to select a checking account for your business, not a savings account.
15- (Optional) Scroll down to Select additional information you want to share and check the two boxes.
16- Select Continue.
17- Under Terms and Conditions, check the box to accept them and select Connect account information.
18- Choose how you'd like to proceed:
- To register with Plaid: Enter your phone number and select Save. This adds your bank account to Melio and registers your phone number and bank account with Plaid as well.
- To skip Plaid registration: Select Finish without saving. This adds your bank account to Melio only.
19- Your bank account is now connected. Continue following the prompts to complete your payment.
Is your account synced with an accounting software?
If your Melio account is synced with an accounting software, you'll be asked to select the matching bank account in your accounting software. Choose it and select Link accounts to continue.
To ensure your transactions process smoothly with your newly added bank account, add Melio as an authorized debtor with your bank by providing them with our originator ID codes. This is a one-time step. You can find Melio's originator IDs in this guide.
That's it! Your bank account is successfully connected to your Melio account. You can now make payments to your vendors using it.
Connect your bank account instantly from the Settings page
1- In your Melio account, select the Settings icon (⚙️) at the bottom of the far left sidebar.
2- Once the Settings menu expands, find and select Payment methods.
If you are looking to add your bank account to receive payments, find and select Receiving method under Get Paid instead.
3- Once you find the bank account section:
- For a Payment method: select Add. This will open the Plaid connection popup window.
- For a Receiving method: select Add this method. This will open the Plaid connection popup window.
If you already have one or more bank accounts added for making payments and want to add a new one, select + Add another bank account. This will open the Plaid connection popup window.
If you already have a Receiving method on file and want to change it, select the three-dot icon. In the popup menu, select Update account. Review the disclaimer and select Continue. This will open the Plaid connection popup window.
4- Select Continue without phone number.
Registering your phone number with Plaid is optional and separate from your bank's security verification. It simply lets you skip this step the next time you connect a bank account.
If you have signed up with Plaid previously, or would like to sign up, enter your phone number and select Continue. Follow the 2FA text verification code prompts.
5- Select Instant to log into your bank to link instantly, then select Continue.
6- Select your bank from the list. You can scroll down or use the search bar to search for your bank.
If you don't see your bank listed, you'll need to manually connect your bank account and verify with a micro-deposit. This method takes about 1-2 days.
Scroll all the way down and select Link with account numbers.
From there, continue following the steps outlined in this guide.
7- Select Continue to log in to proceed.
8- Fill in your bank login credentials. This includes your username and password. Select Sign in to continue.
9- To verify your identity, choose your preferred verification method, then select Get code.
10- Under Verification, enter the code you received and select Submit.
11- Check the box next to the bank account you want to connect to your Melio account.
You will need to select a checking account for your business, not a savings account.
12- (Optional) Scroll down to Select additional information you want to share and check the two boxes.
13- Select Continue.
14- Under Terms and Conditions, check the box to accept them and select Connect account information.
15- Choose how you'd like to proceed:
- To register with Plaid: Enter your phone number and select Save. This adds your bank account to Melio and registers your phone number and bank account with Plaid as well.
- To skip Plaid registration: Select Finish without saving. This adds your bank account to Melio only.
16- Your bank account is now connected. Select Done to return to the dashboard or payment.
Is your account synced with an accounting software?
If your Melio account is synced with an accounting software, you'll be asked to select the matching bank account in your accounting software. Choose it and select Link accounts to continue.
To ensure your transactions process smoothly with your newly added bank account, add Melio as an authorized debtor with your bank by providing them with our originator ID codes. This is a one-time step. You can find Melio’s originator IDs in this guide.
That's it! Your bank account is successfully connected to your Melio account. You can now make and receive payments using this bank account.