Zelle, a popular person-to-person payment service, has gained significant authority over the years since it's creation as a convenient and efficient way to send and receive money between friends, family members, and acquaintances.
And right now, Zelle is considered amongst the best online money transfer apps, and also trusted by many banks to use for transfers either to send or to receive money. Before using the app, many people might be thinking if the platform is safe for use, but that is actually not a problem.
With its increasing popularity, many individuals wonder if they can use Zelle with any bank. Well, if you don't know if your bank can work wih Zelle to send and receive money for free, then today is the right day for you.
With this article, we will be exploring all the Zelle options to see if any bank can work with Zelle. And with that, we will get started.
Table of Contents
Does any Bank Work with Zelle this year?
What is Zelle?
Zelle is an application based service backed by a network of participating financial institutions, including major banks and credit unions. Zelle was created with the main aim to send and receive money from one person or institution to another with little or no fees on the card.
The service also enables it's customers to send and receive money directly from their bank accounts to another person's account, without the need for cash or checks. It allows for quick payments, typically settling within minutes.
Well, the good news is that Zelle is widely compatible and can be used with a large number of banks across the United States. A substantial majority of major banks and credit unions already offer Zelle as a part of their mobile banking services, making it accessible to a vast number of consumers.
But Does Zelle actually Work with any bank? No!!! Zelle Does not Work with any bank, since some banks do not offer services with Zelle yet. But we never know, you can keep in touch so that if Zelle adds any new banks in their list, then you will be quickly informed.
Zelle unlike Paypal, is first of all a mobile transfer app that works essentially in the United States, and so, any bank(s) outside of the US(Not a US based Bank or Credit Union) will not work with Zelle.
How do I know Zelle works with my Bank?
This should be the next thing in mind now. Since you know that, not because you use a US based bank that it means you will be able to link your bank with Zelle, how then should I know my bank offers services with Zelle?
Well, there are two main ways to do that; with Zelle Bank Finder, and or contacting your Bank for the information.
- Zelle bank finder: With the Zelle Bank finder, you can easily search for your specific bank or credit union on the Zelle website to see if they offer Zelle and any associated fees.
- Bank website or mobile app: Another way is to use your bank's website or app for more information about Zelle. They should have details on any fees associated with using Zelle for transfers.
Keep in mind that, to use Zelle, you usually need to have a bank account with one of the participating financial institutions. Some of the major banks that are part of Zelle's network include;
- Bank of America
- Chase
- Wells Fargo
- Citibank
- US Bank
- PNC Bank
However, these are just a few examples, and many other national, regional, and local banks also support Zelle.
You could also be wondering if your Credit Union works with Zelle
If you have a bank account with one of these participating institutions, you can typically use Zelle without any additional hassle. All you need to do is link your bank account to Zelle within your bank's mobile app or website.
How to Link Zelle to Bank Account
Here's a general guide on how to link Zelle through your bank's mobile app or online banking platform:
- First thing is to log in to your bank's mobile app or online banking platform(website).
- Navigate to the Zelle section. You should see this under settings, then transfers, or P2P (person-to-person) payments.
- Look for the option to link or add a bank account. It will not be written the same way since this is just a general procedure.
- Then follow the on-screen instructions provided by your bank. This may involve entering your bank login credentials or verifying small deposits. Some banks might allow linking using your online banking username and password directly within the Zelle app.
- Once the verification process is complete, your bank account will be linked to your Zelle Account.
Did you know that there is a work around if your bank doesn't offer Zelle as a part of its mobile banking services?
Well, you will in this case be able to use Zelle through the standalone Zelle mobile app. The app allows users to sign up and link a debit card, even if their bank doesn't directly support Zelle. This work around expands the accessibility of Zelle to virtually anyone with a bank account and a debit card.
How to link Debit Card to Zelle
Here's how to try linking your debit card with the Zelle app (assuming it's a compatible card):
- Download and install the official Zelle app(Play store for android users, and App store for apple users).
- Open the app and begin the enrollment process.
- Select the option to enroll with a debit card. This might not be available on all versions of the app(That is why you should update your phone and app to get the latest version).
- Then enter your debit card information and follow the on-screen instructions.
While utilizing the standalone app is an alternative, it's important to note that the official mobile app for your bank usually provides a more smooth experience when using Zelle. It enables integrated payments and banking features, which simplifies and accelerate transactions.
Final Thoughts on Zelle and Banks
Zelle is compatible with numerous banks, including most major financial institutions. We saw some major banks like Citibank, Ally Bank, US Bank, Wells Fargo, and many others.
And if your bank offers Zelle within its mobile banking services, you can simply link your bank account to Zelle and start sending and receiving money easily.
On the other hand, if your bank doesn't support Zelle, you can still use it through the standalone Zelle mobile app by linking a debit card. With its widespread availability, Zelle has become a popular choice for secure and convenient person-to-person money transfers.
And also, don't forget that you can check the eligibility of your bank and Zelle by going through your bank's official website, or application, Or you can go to the Zelle Bank finder to check that.