The checkout converts better

Instant account verification helps customers link and fund payments in seconds, so more people complete checkout on the first try.

Money moves faster

Plaid supports every major rail—from ACH to RTP—routing each payment to the fastest eligible path and updating you along the way.

Payments stay predictable

Real-time balance checks and reliable risk signals help reduce failed payments and disputes, so payments stay predictable.

“With Plaid, our customers don’t have to get out a checkbook. They sign in with the same bank username and password they use every day.”

Wylie Kyi

SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER

90% of payouts

settle within two days

Help more payments succeed

A smoother flow helps more customers finish paying. Plaid reduces drop-offs by filling in bank details and preventing common errors, while balance checks help avoid failures.

  • Connect accounts in seconds For return customers, bank details fill in automatically, so there’s nothing to type or mistype.
  • Get more payments across the finish line Plaid checks account and balance information so customers can complete their payment without issues.
  • Instantly reach more customers Plaid connects to 12,000+ financial institutions, so most customers can get set up right away.

Move money over the best rail

Plaid automatically chooses the fastest eligible rail—ACH, RTP, or FedNow—and keeps you updated in real time, so you always know where a payment is, even on weekends and holidays.

Catch issues before they hit

Fraud, low balances, and incorrect account details are the biggest reasons payments fail. Plaid spots them early so failures and disputes don’t happen in the first place.

  • Spot invalid accounts earlier Catch invalid or closed accounts before payments start.
  • Make sure the balance is there Avoid insufficient-funds failures with real-time checks.
  • Flag risky payments before money moves Identify suspicious payments before they’re processed.

customer stories

See what better pay by bank looks like

Link

Instantly connect and verify bank accounts for quick, easy setup.
Let customers connect instantly

Auth

Confirm bank details upfront to reduce returns and failed payments.
Reduce payment returns

Signal

See ACH return risk early with machine learning and insights from the Plaid Network.
Spot insufficient-funds risk

Transfer

Move money over the right rail with built-in routing and real-time checks.
Move money over the best rail

Identity

Verify who owns the bank account and match details to prevent misuse.
Verify account owners

Balance

Check real-time balances before payment to prevent insufficient-funds failures.
Check balances before payment

Your questions, answered

What is an inbound payment?

An inbound payment is any payment your business receives. This includes customer payments, transfers, and bank-to-bank deposits.

What is an outbound payment?

An outbound payment is money your business sends out—such as refunds, payouts, disbursements, or vendor payments.

Why offer bank payments?

Bank payments can cost less than cards, convert more customers, and help reduce fraud. They also give customers a fast, simple way to pay.

Why switch from cards to pay by bank?

Switching from cards to pay by bank can lower processing costs, reduce chargebacks, and improve completion rates because customers don’t need to enter card numbers or worry about expired cards.

What is Request for Payment (RfP)?

Request for Payment (RfP) is a real-time payment method where a business sends a request and the customer approves a bank transfer directly from their account.

What bank payment rails does Plaid support?

Plaid supports ACH, RTP, FedNow, and wires, and routes each payment over the fastest or lowest-cost rail that’s eligible.

How do recurring ACH payments work?

Recurring ACH payments pull funds from a customer’s bank account on a set schedule after they give permission for ongoing debits.

How does instant bank account verification work?

Instant bank account verification works by connecting directly to a customer’s bank to confirm their account and routing details in real time.