Set up or edit bank accounts for Bank Feeds in QuickBooks Desktop

Learn how to set up a bank account and connect it to Bank Feeds in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows.

In QuickBooks Desktop, you can use Bank Feeds to connect your bank and credit card accounts to online banking. Download bank transactions so you don't have to record them manually.

This article is part of a series that covers basic info about Bank Feeds in QuickBooks for Windows.

• Set up account for Bank Feeds
• Download Bank Feed transactions
• Add and match Bank Feed transactions
• Deactivate Bank Feeds for an account

Note: You can connect up to 40 accounts. If you need more than that, separate the accounts you need to connect between two or more company files.

There are two ways to set up an account. You can connect with Direct Connect or Web Connect. The way you connect depends on what's available at your bank.

Connect with Direct Connect

You'll need a PIN or password from your bank to use this method. After you set up the account, you can download your electronic statements to your Bank Feeds. When you download transactions for the first time, QuickBooks automatically sets up an account for Bank Feeds.

Before you start, find out from your bank if there's a fee or if the service is free.

1. From Banking, go to Bank Feeds.
2. Select Set up Bank Feeds for an account.
3. In the Enter your Bank's name field, enter, and select your bank.

If you're enrolling for the first time, select the Enrollment Site link. You may need to apply for Direct Connect. If your bank needs to approve your application, contact them. Ask them if you need special sign-in credentials.

After enrollment:

1. Select Continue.
2. Enter your Online Banking user ID and Password.
3. Select Connect to connect your QuickBooks to your bank's server.
4. Select the bank account you want to connect to your account in QuickBooks. 
5. Select Finish after the connection finishes.

Connect with Web Connect (.QBO) files

If your bank doesn't offer direct connect, you can download a file (.QBO) with your company's transactions from your bank or credit card. Then you import that file to QuickBooks to add those transactions to your accounts.

If your bank offers Web Connect:

1. From Banking, select Bank Feeds, then Import Web Connect Files.
2. Select the .QBO file you saved, then select Open.
3. When asked to select your bank account:
   • Use a QuickBooks account that exists if the account you're importing transactions into is already set up in QuickBooks.
   • Create a new QuickBooks account if the account you're importing transactions into isn't in QuickBooks yet. Learn how to create an account.
4. Select Continue. You'll see a dialog box telling you that the data has been successfully read into QuickBooks. Select OK.
5. Go to the Bank Feeds Center to review your transactions.

Edit Bank Feed settings for bank or credit card accounts

You can change your login and other info for the bank account you use with QuickBooks Desktop. Just turn off your Bank Feeds to make any changes. Then set up your Bank Feeds again.

1. Disconnect Bank Feeds for your account.
2. Make your changes.
3. Set up bank feeds for your account (anchor to section in this article)