Setting Up Your Bank Account for Aplauso Tip Payouts

Your bank account is connected to your Aplauso account via Stripe - Stripe handles the bank verification and ACH transfer. You'll complete this during your initial Aplauso onboarding, and can update it at any time.

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Adding Your Bank Account During Onboarding

The first time you connect Stripe (triggered during your Aplauso account setup), the Stripe onboarding wizard guides you through adding your bank account:

Option A - Instant Verification via Plaid (Recommended)

Plaid is a secure bank-linking service that connects directly to thousands of US banks.

1. Select Instant bank verification.
2. Choose your bank from the list (search by name).
3. Log in to your bank account using your online banking credentials.
4. Select the checking account you want to receive payouts.
5. Done - your account is verified instantly.

Privacy note: Plaid only reads your account and routing numbers for verification. It cannot initiate transactions or see your transaction history.

Option B - Manual Entry (Routing & Account Number)

If your bank isn't supported by Plaid, or you prefer not to use it:

1. Select Enter manually.
2. Enter your routing number (9-digit ABA routing number - found on the bottom left of a check or in your bank's app).
3. Enter your bank account number (checking account; not a savings account in most cases).
4. Confirm the account number.
5. Stripe sends two small test deposits (micro-deposits) to your account within 1–2 business days. You'll verify the amounts in the Stripe/Aplauso dashboard.

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Accepted Account Types

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International Bank Accounts

For employees and venues outside the United States, Stripe supports payouts to local bank accounts in many countries. During Stripe onboarding:

1. Select your country.
2. Stripe will prompt for the relevant local bank details (IBAN for European banks, BSB for Australian banks, sort code + account for UK banks, etc.).

Supported countries include: Canada, UK, EU (most countries), Australia, and more. Visit stripe.com/connect/payouts for the current supported country list.

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Updating Your Bank Account

If you switch banks or want to update your payout account:

1. Go to Settings → Payment Methods in the Aplauso app or dashboard.
2. Click Manage Stripe Account or Update Bank Account.
3. You'll be taken to the Stripe Connect dashboard where you can add a new bank and set it as the default.

Note: Stripe requires identity re-verification when you change your bank account. Have your government ID and SSN last-4 ready.

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Micro-Deposit Verification

If you chose manual entry (Option B), Stripe will send two small deposits (e.g., $0.32 and $0.17) to your account within 1–3 business days. To complete verification:

1. Go to Settings → Payment Methods → Verify Bank Account.
2. Enter the two micro-deposit amounts in the order they arrived.
3. Your account is now verified and payouts will process on the standard schedule.

Tip: Check your bank statement carefully - the deposits appear as "STRIPE VERIFICATION" or similar.

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Troubleshooting

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Next Steps

• How to withdraw your tips
• Payout timing and schedules
• Connecting your Stripe account