You can remove a bank account from PayPal in two minutes through your wallet settings

To delete a bank account from PayPal, go to your Wallet, find the bank account you want to remove, and select the delete option. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The account disappears from your wallet immediately, though PayPal keeps a record of it for their own compliance purposes. You do not need to contact PayPal support unless the account is linked to an active transfer or pending transaction.

Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account itself — it only disconnects that specific bank from your PayPal wallet. You can add a different bank account later, or keep other payment methods on file.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your PayPal account, go to Wallet, and select the bank account you want to remove, then choose delete and confirm.
  • The bank account disappears from your wallet right away, but PayPal retains records of it for regulatory reasons.
  • Removing a bank account does not affect your PayPal account balance, transaction history, or ability to send and receive money through other methods.
  • If you have a pending transfer to or from that bank account, you must wait for it to complete before you can delete it.
  • You can add a new bank account to PayPal at any time after deletion, using the same or a different bank.

Step-by-step: Removing a bank account on desktop

Log into your PayPal account on a web browser. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings. On the left side menu, click Wallet.

In the Wallet section, you will see all your linked payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the bank account you want to remove and hover over it. A menu will appear with options. Click the trash icon or the three dots menu and select Delete or Remove.

PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this bank account. Click the confirmation button. The account is now deleted from your wallet and will no longer appear in your payment method list.

Step-by-step: Removing a bank account on the PayPal app

Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet to see all your linked payment methods.

Find the bank account you want to remove and tap it. A details screen will open showing the bank name and last four digits. Look for a delete, remove, or trash icon — this is usually at the bottom of the screen or in a menu accessed by tapping three dots. Tap it and confirm the deletion when prompted.

What happens if a transfer is pending

If you have a transfer in progress to or from the bank account you want to delete, PayPal will not let you remove it until the transfer completes. This protects both you and PayPal from confusion about where money should go.

Check your Activity or Transaction History to see if any transfers involving that bank account are still processing. Most transfers take one to three business days. Once the transfer finishes, you can delete the account immediately.

Removing a bank account does not close your PayPal account

Deleting a bank account from your wallet is not the same as closing your PayPal account. Your PayPal balance, transaction history, and account settings all remain unchanged. You can still send and receive money using other payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, or PayPal balance.

If you want to close your entire PayPal account instead, that requires a separate process through Account Settings. Removing a bank account is simply disconnecting one funding source.

Why PayPal keeps records of deleted bank accounts

Even after you delete a bank account from your wallet, PayPal retains information about it in their system. This is required by banking regulations and fraud prevention rules. PayPal needs to maintain records of all accounts that have ever been connected to your profile, in case of disputes, chargebacks, or regulatory inquiries.

You cannot request that PayPal permanently erase the bank account record from their system. However, the account will not appear in your wallet, and PayPal will not attempt to charge it or transfer money to it.

Adding a new bank account after deletion

After you delete a bank account, you can add a different one to your PayPal wallet at any time. Go back to Wallet, select Add a Payment Method, and choose Bank Account. Enter the new bank's routing number, your account number, and account type (checking or savings). PayPal will verify the account by making two small deposits, which you then confirm in your bank's app or online banking.

You can also add the same bank account back if you deleted it by mistake. The verification process is the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a bank account affect my PayPal balance?

No. Your PayPal balance is separate from your linked bank accounts. Removing a bank account only disconnects it as a funding source — it does not touch any money in your PayPal wallet. You can still use that balance to send money or make purchases.

Can I delete a bank account if I have a pending refund coming to it?

No. If a seller or PayPal is processing a refund to that bank account, you must wait for the refund to complete before deleting it. Check your Activity page to see the status. Once the refund arrives at your bank, you can delete the account.

What if I accidentally deleted the wrong bank account?

You can add it back immediately by going to Wallet and selecting Add a Payment Method. Choose Bank Account and enter the same routing number and account number. PayPal will verify it again with two small deposits. There is no penalty for deleting and re-adding an account.

Does deleting a bank account remove it from other websites that use PayPal?

No. Removing a bank account from PayPal only affects your PayPal wallet. If you have used PayPal to pay on other websites, those transactions are not affected. However, those websites will no longer be able to charge that bank account through PayPal if you try to use PayPal as a payment method again.

Can PayPal support help me delete a bank account?

You do not need PayPal support to delete a bank account — the process is self-service through your wallet settings. Contact PayPal support only if you cannot find the delete option, if the account is linked to a disputed transaction, or if you believe someone else added the account without your permission.