Link a Bank Account for ACH Deposits in Tradovate
ACH is the cheapest way to move money into a self-funded Tradovate account. Here's how to link your bank once, either instantly through Plaid or by entering your routing and account numbers by hand.
ACH is the cheapest way to move money into a self-funded Tradovate account. No wire fee, no card surcharge, just a bank-to-bank pull that usually clears in a day or two. But before you can send a single dollar, you have to link your bank once. There are two ways to do it: let Plaid log you in and connect the account instantly, or type your routing and account numbers in by hand. Both end in the same place. Here's how each one works.
Before you start: ACH only works with a US-based bank account, and the name on that bank account has to match the name on your Tradovate account exactly. You can keep one ACH-linked bank at a time. And if you're trading a prop-firm evaluation or funded account, skip this entirely, those are funded by the firm, so you won't link a personal bank to them.
Link Your Bank, Step by Step
Open the Bank-Account Settings
Log in to Tradovate, then open Application Settings from the top-right corner. Go to the Accounts section and look for the ACH or Bank Accounts setup. Depending on which build you're on, the entry point may read "Setup ACH" or live under a "Transfers & Payments" area instead, either one lands you in the same funding screen.
Click Add ACH Account
Scroll down to the Bank Accounts section and click Add ACH Account. This opens the linking flow, which is powered by Plaid, a third-party service that most US banks and brokers use to connect accounts securely. You'll be asked to accept Plaid's terms before it does anything with your bank.
Choose Automatic or Manual
Once you're past the terms, you pick how to link. Choosing to set up ACH automatically launches Plaid's wizard and logs you straight into your bank. Choosing Manual lets you type your numbers in without handing over your online-banking password. If you bank with a big national institution, automatic is faster. If your bank isn't supported or you'd rather not log in through Plaid, go manual.
Automatic: Log In Through Plaid
If you picked automatic, Plaid's Instant Verification kicks in. Search for your bank, sign in with your normal online-banking credentials, and choose which account you want to connect. Plaid confirms the account and routing details behind the scenes, so there's nothing to type. For most people this is done in a couple of minutes.
Manual: Enter Your Routing and Account Numbers
Going manual? After you select Manual and click Continue, Plaid walks you through entering your bank's Routing Number and your Account Number. To prove the account is yours, Plaid sends a tiny deposit, one cent, that shows up with a three-letter authorization code in your bank's transaction description. Grab that code, come back, and enter it to verify. You may then get an email asking you to upload a document, usually a recent bank statement. That upload request can take a business day or two to arrive, so don't panic if it isn't instant.
Wait for Verification, Then Deposit
After you finish either path, the link goes into review. Give it up to about 15 minutes on a business day, link on a weekend or holiday and it may sit in "Under Review" until the next business day. Once it's approved, head to the Transfers & Payments page and you can request a deposit (or a withdrawal) straight to your linked bank.
Automatic vs. Manual, Which to Use
| Automatic (Plaid) | Manual entry | |
|---|---|---|
| What you provide | Your online-banking login | Routing number + account number |
| Speed | Usually a few minutes | Longer, waits on the one-cent code and any document upload |
| Best for | Major banks Plaid supports | Banks Plaid can't log into, or if you'd rather not share a password |
| Verification | Handled instantly by Plaid | Three-letter code from a $0.01 deposit, plus a possible statement upload |
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Money you push in by ACH generally has to come back out by ACH too, and there's a holding period before an ACH deposit is available to withdraw, plan around it if you're moving funds in and out. Deposits also have a per-window limit and an early-afternoon Central Time cutoff for same-day processing. Those exact figures shift over time and can differ by account and firm, so check the current numbers in the platform before you count on a same-day transfer. If a fresh deposit shows as locked for a few days, that's the standard clearing hold.
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Start Your Free 5-Day TrialThis guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Trading futures and other leveraged products carries a substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. PickMyTrade is an independent third-party automation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tradovate, Inc. "Tradovate" and all related names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Platform features and steps change over time, so always confirm the current process in the official Tradovate platform and documentation before acting.