How to Add Money to a Venmo Balance

This article explains how to add funds to your Venmo account using a bank account or a credit card.

Adding Funds to Venmo via Your Bank

The first option for funding your Venmo purchases is by linking your bank account to your account. While Venmo will default to using your balance in the app first, if your balance doesn't cover your purchase then you can add your bank account as an option to transfer the funds.

1. Select the Profile icon from the bottom menu.

2. Tap Settings and then Payment Methods.

3. Tap Add a bank or card...

4. Tap Bank.

5. Choose a verification method.

Entering your login information for your bank may allow you to verify instantly; otherwise, Venmo sends micro-transfers of < $2 to your account to confirm your identity. The micro-transfers take a business day to go through, so you won't be able to start paying anyone instantly.

The other benefit of adding funds through your bank account is that it's a two-way street; you can also transfer your Venmo balance over to your bank account. So if you're using Venmo to have your roommate pay their portion of the rent you can move it over to your bank account instead of having hundreds sitting in your Venmo balance.

Add a Debit or Credit Card to Fund Your Venmo Account

You can also add a debit or major credit card to your Venmo profile, allowing you to make purchases through the app that are paid by your card.

1. Select the Profile icon from the bottom menu.

2. Go to Settings and tap Payment Methods.

3. Choose Add bank or card... and then tap Card.

4. Enter your card information manually or with your phone camera.

Entering a credit or debit card doesn't require micro-transfers to verify the source, so it's the faster of the two options if you're in a hurry to make a Venmo purchase.

Other Options to Fund Venmo Accounts

Venmo also offers their own "card" which has an auto-reload feature in $10 increments, if you choose to apply for the card and enable that feature.

This option looks at your balance and adds more money from your bank in $10 chunks if your balance won't cover your purchase. Any excess funds from the reloaded funds wait in your account for your next purchase.

You can easily be a Venmo user who only uses their bank account or a personal card to fund their purchases. Pick the method that you're most comfortable with, watch out for the credit card fee on large purchases, and you're good to go.