When you add a bank account to Melio, you'll need to verify it before you can use it to complete any payment transactions. You can do this in one of two ways:
- Instant verification using your bank login details. To learn more about this process, please see our guide on How to connect your bank account instantly
- Manual verification using a micro-deposit
This guide focuses on the manual micro-deposit verification process and covers the following:
- How micro-deposits work
- Adding your bank account details when making a payment
- Adding your bank account details from the Settings page
- Verifying your bank account once you receive the micro-deposit
How micro-deposits work
Micro-deposits are small amounts of money ($0.01) deposited into your bank account to verify that you own the account. Melio partners with Plaid, which connects to thousands of banks and credit unions across the U.S. When you choose to verify by micro-deposit:
- Plaid sends a small deposit to your bank account.
- The micro-deposit is initiated the same day you authorize it, and typically appears in your account within 1-2 business days.
- You'll need to verify the exact 3-letter code attached to the micro-deposit to complete the verification process.
Important notes about verification
- You can only verify up to 2 bank accounts at once. Please wait until those bank accounts are verified before connecting additional bank accounts.
- There is a limit to how many incorrect verification attempts you can make. After 3 failed attempts, your bank account will be blocked and unable to be connected for 48 hours. If verification fails, see our troubleshooting guide here.
- Verification by micro-deposit is a one-time process for each bank account.
- You can schedule future payments with an unverified bank account, but funds will not be collected or transferred until the bank account is verified. Bank account verification is required to complete any payment transaction.
Adding your bank account details 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 number, 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- Select Continue to pay.
7- 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.
8- Select Continue without phone number.
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.
9- Select Manual when asked how you'll link your bank account. Select Continue.
10- Next, enter the Routing number for your checking account. Select Continue.
You can find your 9-digit routing number at the bottom of printed checks. It is the first set of 9 digits on the bottom left. You can also find it in your banking app, often under the account details or listed on your bank statement.
11- You'll be prompted to sign in using your bank account login. Select Enter account number instead.
12- Enter and confirm your bank account number. Select Continue.
You can find your bank account number on a bank statement (paper or online), in your mobile banking app, or on your checkbook. On a check, the account number is the second number listed along the bottom. Account numbers are typically 8-12 digits long.
13- Enter your full name. Make sure it matches the name on the bank account. Select Continue.
14- Next, select Authorize to allow Plaid to deposit one micro-deposit of $0.01 into your bank account.
You'll receive the micro-deposit in about 1-2 business days and can then verify your bank account.
15- Review the message explaining how you can now return to your Melio account in 1-2 business days to verify your account. Select Continue.
16- Your new bank account is now pending verification. You can continue scheduling your payment as usual.
That's it! You've successfully added your bank account details. Once you finish scheduling your payment, it will process automatically after your bank account is verified.
Adding your bank account details 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.
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 Manual when asked how you'll link your bank account. Select Continue.
6- Next, enter the Routing number for your checking account. Select Continue.
You can find your 9-digit routing number at the bottom of printed checks. It is the first set of 9 digits on the bottom left. You can also find it in your banking app, often under the account details or listed on your bank statement.
7- You'll be prompted to sign in using your bank account login. Select Enter account number instead.
8- Enter and confirm your bank account number. Select Continue.
You can find your bank account number on a bank statement (paper or online), in your mobile banking app, or on your checkbook. On a check, the account number is the second number listed along the bottom. Account numbers are typically 8-12 digits long.
9- Enter your full name. Make sure it matches the name on the bank account. Select Continue.
10- Next, select Authorize to allow Plaid to deposit one micro-deposit of $0.01 into your bank account.
You'll receive the micro-deposit in about 1-2 business days and can then verify your bank account.
11- Review the message explaining how you can now return to your Melio account in 1-2 business days to verify your account. Select Continue.
12- Your new bank account is now pending verification. You can continue scheduling payments as usual, but they will only be processed once the bank account you added is successfully verified. Select Got it.
13- Your new bank account will now be listed under either the Payment methods page or the Receiving method page.
That's it! You've successfully added your bank account details. Once your bank account is verified, you'll be able to use it to send or receive payments.
Verifying your bank account once you receive the micro-deposit
You'll receive the micro-deposit within 1-2 business days and can then verify your bank account.
Here are the options for verifying your bank account:
- Verification via text message
- Verification via email
- Verification via the Settings page
- Verification via the Payments tab
Verification via text message
If you verified your mobile phone number when adding your bank account, Plaid will send a text message to you. The message includes a link where you can enter the 3-letter code attached to the micro-deposit amount.
If you don't have a Melio account and you're completing a payment using a link your vendor sent you, you'll receive this same text message with a link to enter the 3-letter code to verify your bank account.
To verify the bank account:
1- Select the link in the text message.
2- Follow the instructions to find the code.
3- Enter the 3-letter code and select Continue.
4- You've successfully verified your bank account. Select Continue.
5- Your bank account is now linked. Select Done to continue.
That's it! Your bank account is successfully connected to your Melio account. You will receive an email confirming your successful verification.
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 account in your accounting software. Select the matching account from the dropdown menu. Select Link accounts to continue.
Verification via email
Once the micro-deposit arrives, you'll receive an email with a link to enter the 3-letter code attached to it.
If you don't have a Melio account and you're completing a payment using a link your vendor sent you, you'll receive this same email with a link to enter the 3-letter code to verify your bank account.
To verify your bank account:
1- In the email, select Verify bank account. This will lead you to the Settings page.
2- On the Settings page, find and select either Payment methods or Receiving method from the settings sidebar menu.
3- Your newly added bank account will appear and be marked as Pending verification. Select Verify account located next to the bank account to begin the verification process.
4- Next, enter the 3-letter code attached to the micro-deposit in your bank account.
5- Select Continue.
That's it! Your bank account is successfully connected to your Melio account. You will receive an email confirming your successful verification.
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 account in your accounting software. Select the matching account from the dropdown menu. Select Link accounts to continue.
Verification via the Settings page
Here's how to verify your bank account from Settings:
1- In your Melio account, select the Settings icon (⚙️) at the bottom of the far-left sidebar.
2- On the Settings page, find and select either Payment methods or Receiving method from the settings sidebar menu.
3- Your newly added bank account will appear and be marked as Pending verification. Select Verify account located next to the bank account to begin the verification process.
4- Next, enter the 3-letter code attached to the micro-deposit in your bank account.
5- Select Continue.
That's it! Your bank account is successfully connected to your Melio account. You will receive an email confirming your successful verification.
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 account in your accounting software. Select the matching account from the dropdown menu. Select Link accounts to continue.
Verification via the Payments tab
If you added your new bank account when making a payment, Melio will remind you that action is needed to complete the payment successfully.
You can verify your bank account from your scheduled payment by following these steps:
1- In the Melio dashboard, select the Payments tab.
2- Find the payment that is Pending verification.
3- Select View payment.
4- A Payment and bill details page will open on the right side of your screen. Select Verify.
5- Next, enter the 3-letter code attached to the micro-deposit in your bank account.
6- Select Continue.
That's it! Your bank account is successfully connected to your Melio account. You will receive an email confirming your successful verification and your payment will begin processing.
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 account in your accounting software. Select the matching account from the dropdown menu. Select Link accounts to continue.
Failed to verify your bank account?
You have a limited number of attempts to verify your bank account. If verification fails, see our guide on Failed verification of bank account with micro-deposits.