Description

Linking Bank Account – New Zealand

**Title: Troubleshooting the Linking of Your Bank Account to PayPal in New Zealand**

Hello New Zealanders, today I’m addressing a common issue encountered by many when trying to connect their New Zealand bank accounts to PayPal. Based on the comments, linking your bank account can become a bit tricky, especially when PayPal seems to be asking for a bank code that your New Zealand bank doesn’t provide, and when your account number is longer than 11 characters which PayPal insists on. Let’s address these step-by-step.

### The Missing Bank Code
In New Zealand, banks don’t operate with a typical bank code as you might see in other countries (like a sort code in the UK or a routing number in the USA). Instead, the unique identifier for transactions is embedded directly within what we recognize as the “bank account number” here in NZ. So, if PayPal is asking for a specific “bank code,” this is likely a general field they require from users in different locales, and you might just skip this part or enter your bank branch’s SWIFT/BIC code instead, if PayPal provides the field for it.

### The Lengthy Account Number
New Zealand bank account numbers are typically 14 to 16 digits long, which can pose a challenge when a service expects a shorter number, often up to 11 digits. What you need to do in this case is provide the full account number, despite the character limit. A simple solution, once you’ve contacted PayPal support, is to use the 14 to 16-digit alphanumeric code available in your online banking or bank statements.

### Steps to Link Your Bank Account to PayPal
1. **Log into Your PayPal Account**: Make sure you’re signed into the correct account where you wish to establish the link to your bank.

2. **Go to Settings and Profile**: On the top toolbar, hover over your name and select “Profile and Settings”.

3. **Add a New Bank Account**: Under the “Bank Accounts” section, click “Add a Bank” and choose “Direct Deposit.”

4. **Enter Your Bank’s Details**: PayPal might ask for the bank name, bank branch, and your account number. In the case of New Zealand, it doesn’t usually ask for a traditional bank code.

5. **Handling the Account Number**: If PayPal prompts for a shorter account number, you need to provide the 14 to 16-digit number as recorded in your bank account details. If it doesn’t accept it due to length, reach out to PayPal customer service for assistance. They might guide you to enter a different part of the account number.

6. **Confirm the Details**: PayPal will usually make a small, verifyable deposit to ensure the account is legitimate and belongs to you. This process might take a couple of days.

7. **Finalize the Setup**: Once validated, you’ve successfully linked your bank account to PayPal!

### Contact PayPal Support
If you consistently face issues, it’s advisable to reach out to PayPal support. Provide them with your situation and the exact error message. They might ask for additional details of your account, so be prepared to share some of this information for verification.

### Conclusion
Linking your New Zealand bank account to PayPal can indeed be a bit confusing due to the differences in the systems we use in New Zealand and those expected by PayPal. However, with a bit of understanding of what is expected from the New Zealand banking system and a bit of communication with PayPal, setting up your account should be a straightforward process.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to PayPal’s support team if you find your scenario isn’t being handled by the guidelines here. Happy linking!

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By following these steps, you should be able to successfully link your New Zealand bank account to PayPal, making money transfers and payments a breeze. If you find this helpful or have additional questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy banking!