> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cashflowy.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Your Bank Account

> Cashflowy uses Plaid to securely connect to your bank. Plaid is trusted by thousands of financial apps and never stores your bank login credentials on our servers.

## How to connect

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the connect modal">
    From the **Dashboard**, click the **Connect Bank Account** button. You can also go to **Banking** → **Bank Accounts** and click **Connect Bank**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cashflowyai/uNAE_ms63-2pw4ht/images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.54.27AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=uNAE_ms63-2pw4ht&q=85&s=41cfad6a841b18099b4081d6e7228233" alt="Screenshot2026 03 30at12 54 27AM" width="1916" height="294" data-path="images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.54.27AM.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search for your bank">
    In the Plaid window, search for your bank by name and select it.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cashflowyai/GSXzjV2yzBC_7vzu/images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.55.32AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GSXzjV2yzBC_7vzu&q=85&s=b8fb23d7cda4f1bb553de61fa048b7d3" alt="Screenshot2026 03 30at12 55 32AM" width="888" height="1476" data-path="images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.55.32AM.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log in to your bank">
    Enter your bank login credentials directly in the Plaid window. These are sent securely to your bank - Cashflowy never sees or stores them.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cashflowyai/GSXzjV2yzBC_7vzu/images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.58.02AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GSXzjV2yzBC_7vzu&q=85&s=b724934c4c56eb32ed1deeca430c5767" alt="Screenshot2026 03 30at12 58 02AM" width="880" height="1478" data-path="images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.58.02AM.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select accounts">
    Choose which accounts to import (checking, savings, credit card, etc.).

    **Note:** *Not all banks let you choose which accounts to connect during linking - some will connect all available accounts automatically. Once connected, you can unsync any account you don't want from **Banking → Bank Accounts**.*

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cashflowyai/GSXzjV2yzBC_7vzu/images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.59.05AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GSXzjV2yzBC_7vzu&q=85&s=995d58e9fe1cf7e2d112eef7f6ae6b40" alt="Screenshot2026 03 30at12 59 05AM" width="1168" height="1320" data-path="images/Screenshot2026-03-30at12.59.05AM.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Done!">
    You'll be redirected back to Cashflowy. Next step: [configure your sync settings](/getting-started/configure-accounts).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What happens after connecting?

* **Transactions import automatically** - Cashflowy pulls your recent history (the amount depends on your [sync configuration](/getting-started/configure-accounts))
* **Daily syncs** - new transactions are imported every day
* **Auto-categorization** - Cashflowy attempts to categorize transactions based on merchant info. [Review any uncategorized ones](/getting-started/categorize-transactions).

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My bank isn't listed">
    Plaid supports thousands of institutions, but some smaller banks or credit unions may not be available. You can [import statements manually](/getting-started/import-statements) as PDF, CSV, or XLSX files instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connection failed or timed out">
    This is usually a temporary issue with your bank's connection to Plaid. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it keeps happening, [contact support](https://go.crisp.chat/chat/embed/?website_id=733177f7-ad27-4876-9e2e-f011fa1f73a9).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My transactions aren't showing up">
    After connecting, it can take up to 15 minutes for transactions to appear. Make sure you've [configured your accounts](/getting-started/configure-accounts) — accounts in "Awaiting Configuration" status won't sync.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I reconnect an expired link?">
    Bank connections can expire over time. Go to **Banking** → **Bank Accounts**, find the account with a "Failed" status, and click **Reconnect** to re-authenticate with your bank.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Info>
  **Security note:** Cashflowy uses read-only access to your bank accounts. We can view transactions but cannot move money or make changes to your accounts.
</Info>