Linking an external bank account lets you move funds between your Lili account and another financial institution — all in one place. The connection is established securely through Plaid, a trusted third-party provider used by thousands of financial platforms. Lili never receives or stores your external bank credentials.
Before you start
- Make sure the external account is held under the same name (personal name or business name) as your Lili account.
- Have your external bank login credentials ready, you'll authenticate directly through Plaid's encrypted flow.
- Your external bank must support Plaid connections. (See the section below if your bank isn't listed.)
Link an account — Web App
- Sign in to your Lili Web App.
- In the “Move Money” menu, click Send Money/Transfer to Linked Account.
- Click Add Account to launch the Plaid connection window.
- Search for your bank by name and select the correct version (choose "business banking" if prompted).
- Enter your bank login credentials directly in Plaid's secure window — these are not shared with Lili.
- Complete any multi-factor authentication (MFA) steps your bank requires.
- Select the specific account you want to link and confirm.
Once connected, the account will appear in your linked accounts list. You won't need to re-enter credentials for future transfers.
Link an account — Mobile App
- Sign in to the Lili Mobile App.
- Tap the Main Menu (top-left corner).
- Go to Add Money → Transfer from my Linked Account (or Send Money → Transfer to my Linked Account).
- Tap Add Account and follow the Plaid steps to search for your bank, enter credentials, and confirm.
What if my bank isn't listed?
Not all banks are supported via Plaid. If you can't find your bank in the search results:
- Log in directly to your external bank's app or website.
- Navigate to their external transfer or linked accounts settings.
- Add your Lili account using your Lili routing and account numbers, which you can find under Account Details in the Lili app.
Troubleshooting common issues
| Issue | Likely cause | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| Bank not found in Plaid | Institution not supported | Use routing/account number method above |
| MFA code not received | Bank security delay or wrong number | Wait 60 seconds; check spam; log in directly to your bank to verify your contact info |
| Connection stuck on "Pending" | Bank verification in progress | Wait 1–2 business days; reconnect if still pending |
| Credentials rejected | Password recently changed | Update your bank password, then try again |
| Connection breaks after setup | Bank changed security settings | Disconnect and re-link the account from the same menu |
If the issue persists, contact Lili Support and include your bank name and any error message shown.
Related Articles
- How do I transfer funds between my Lili account and a linked bank account?
- How do I remove a linked external bank account?
- How do I sync an external bank account or credit card for accounting?
- Where can I find my routing and account numbers?
Lili is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Sunrise Banks, N.A., Member FDIC. The Lili Visa® Debit Card is issued by Sunrise Banks, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. The Card may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
Wire Transfer services are provided by Column Bank N.A., Member FDIC. All wires are subject to acceptance criteria and risk-based review and may be rejected at the sole discretion of Column Bank N. A. or Lili App Inc.