Plaid connects to checking, savings, money market, and investment accounts—not just checking
Plaid is a data connection tool that links your bank account to third-party apps. It works with checking accounts, but also with savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. The account types available depend on which bank you use and which app you're connecting to—not all apps request access to all account types.
When you connect through Plaid, you're giving an app permission to see your account information and, in some cases, move money. The app itself decides which accounts it needs. A budgeting app might only ask for checking and savings. An investment app might ask for brokerage accounts. A bill-pay service might ask for checking only. Plaid's job is to make the connection possible; the app using Plaid decides what it wants to see.
Key Takeaways
- Plaid can connect to checking, savings, money market, brokerage, and retirement accounts—the limitation is not Plaid itself but which accounts your bank offers and which accounts the app requests.
- When you link an account through Plaid, you choose which account to connect, and the app tells you upfront what it needs access to.
- Not every bank offers every account type through Plaid, and not every app asks for every account type—both sides determine what's available.
- If an app only shows your checking account as an option, it means either your bank hasn't connected that other account to Plaid, or the app didn't request permission to see it.
How Plaid determines which accounts show up when you connect
When you log into your bank through Plaid, the system retrieves a list of accounts your bank has made available through Plaid's connection. This list varies by bank. Some large banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo connect multiple account types. Smaller or regional banks may connect only checking and savings. Credit unions vary widely—some connect several account types, others connect only one.
The app you're connecting to also filters what it shows you. If you're linking to a budgeting app, it might request permission to see only checking and savings accounts. If you're linking to a robo-advisor or investment platform, it might request brokerage and retirement accounts. The app's developer decides what information it needs to function, and Plaid shows you only the accounts that both your bank offers and the app has requested.
You can see which accounts are available before you authorize anything. Plaid displays a list of your accounts after you log in but before you grant permission. If an account you expected to see is missing, it means either your bank hasn't connected it to Plaid, or the app didn't ask for access to that account type.
Why some apps only request checking account access
Many apps genuinely need only your checking account. A bill-pay service, a paycheck advance app, or a peer-to-peer payment platform typically moves money in and out of checking only. They have no reason to request access to your savings account, investment account, or retirement account. Requesting unnecessary permissions is also a security concern—apps that ask for more access than they need raise red flags for both users and regulators.
Some apps do ask for multiple account types even if they don't when ready use all of them. A comprehensive financial app might request checking, savings, and investment accounts because different users will use different features. A budgeting app might ask for savings accounts so it can show you your full picture, even if it only moves money from checking.
What happens if your bank doesn't offer an account type through Plaid
If your bank hasn't connected a particular account type to Plaid, you won't see it in the list when you connect. This is a bank decision, not a Plaid limitation. Some banks connect only checking and savings to Plaid and keep investment accounts, retirement accounts, or money market accounts separate. Others connect everything they offer.
If you need an app to see an account your bank hasn't connected to Plaid, you have a few options. You can contact your bank and ask whether they plan to connect that account type to Plaid—some banks add connections over time. You can manually add the account information to the app if it allows manual entry. Or you can use a different app that doesn't require that account type, or that supports a different connection method (some apps use other data providers besides Plaid).
The difference between read-only and read-write connections
Plaid connections come in two types: read-only, which means the app can see your account information but cannot move money, and read-write, which means the app can both see your information and initiate transfers. A budgeting app typically uses read-only access—it just watches your spending. A bill-pay app or a paycheck advance service uses read-write access because it needs to move money.
The account type doesn't determine whether a connection is read-only or read-write. A checking account can be read-only or read-write depending on what the app does. A savings account can be read-only (so an app can show you your balance) or read-write (so an app can transfer money to it). The app's function determines the permission level, not the account type itself.
How to check which accounts Plaid can see for your specific bank
The easiest way to know what's available is to start connecting through an app. When you choose your bank and log in through Plaid, you'll see a list of accounts before you authorize anything. This list is specific to your bank and your account setup—if you have multiple checking accounts, multiple savings accounts, or linked accounts at other institutions, they may all appear.
You can also visit Plaid's institution search on their website (plaid.com/institutions) and search for your bank by name. The search results show which account types that bank has connected to Plaid. Keep in mind this shows what's available in general; your specific account list depends on what accounts you actually hold at that bank.
If you're unsure whether your bank supports a particular account type through Plaid, contact your bank's customer service. They can tell you whether that account is connected to Plaid and, if not, whether they plan to add it.
What to do if you need to connect an account Plaid doesn't support
If an account isn't available through Plaid, check whether the app you're using supports other connection methods. Some apps use multiple data providers—Plaid is common, but not universal. An app might support Plaid, Finicity, Yodlee, or direct bank connections. You might be able to connect through a different method.
If the app only supports Plaid and your account isn't available through Plaid, you can usually add the account information manually. Most apps allow you to enter account numbers, routing numbers, and balances by hand. This is less convenient than automatic connection, but it works. You'll need to update balances manually, but the account will still appear in the app.
Another option is to contact the app's support team and ask whether they plan to support your bank or account type in the future. If enough users request it, some apps do expand their connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Plaid connect to my savings account?
Yes, if your bank has connected it to Plaid and the app you're using requests access to savings accounts. Not all banks connect savings accounts to Plaid, and not all apps ask for them. Check the account list when you connect to see what's available for your bank.
Why does the app only show my checking account?
Either your bank hasn't connected other account types to Plaid, or the app didn't request permission to see them. You can contact your bank to ask which accounts are available through Plaid, or contact the app to ask which account types it supports.
Can Plaid connect to investment or retirement accounts?
Yes, but only if your bank or brokerage has connected them to Plaid and the app requests access. Many investment platforms and robo-advisors use Plaid to connect to brokerage accounts and IRAs. Check with your specific institution to see what's available.
Is it safe to connect multiple account types through Plaid?
Plaid uses encryption and security protocols to protect your connection. The safety of connecting multiple accounts depends on the app you're connecting to and what permissions you grant. Review what the app is asking for before you authorize it—if it requests more access than it needs, you can decline and use a different app or connection method.
What if my bank isn't on Plaid at all?
Some banks and credit unions don't use Plaid. In that case, the app you're trying to connect to may support a different data provider, or you may need to add your account information manually. Contact the app's support team to see what options are available for your bank.