Proof of funds report · $5
How to Get a Proof of Funds Letter
A proof of funds letter is a short letter from your bank stating how much money you have available. You get one by asking your bank, usually at a branch or through customer service. Here’s exactly what to ask for, what the letter should include, and what to do if you need proof faster than your bank can provide it.
No subscription · Credits never expire · Balances only, no transactions
How it works
1. Create a request
Request proof of funds from someone by email, or check “I’m showing my own funds” to do it yourself.
2. Connect the bank
The account holder connects their bank through Plaid. It’s read-only and their login is never shared.
3. Get the report
Current balances for each account and the totals, with the date and time they were checked with the bank.
Step by step
- Ask the person requesting proof what they need: the amount, how recent the balance must be, which accounts count, and whether the letter should be addressed to them.
- Contact the bank or brokerage that holds the money. Most banks prepare these letters at a branch, and many will also take the request through customer service or a secure message.
- Bring a photo ID if you go in person, and ask for a proof of funds letter (sometimes called a verification letter or balance letter) on bank letterhead, signed by a banker.
- Say which accounts to include and the date the balance should be shown as of.
- Check the letter before you send it: your name should match your offer or application exactly, and the balance should cover the amount requested.
What the letter should include
Most banks use their own wording, but bringing a filled-in draft speeds things up. Our free proof of funds letter generator creates one you can hand to the banker.
- Your full name, matching the offer or application
- The bank’s name and contact details, on letterhead
- Account type and the last four digits of each account
- The available balance in each account, and the total
- The date the balance is shown as of
- A banker’s name, title, and signature
How long it takes
A banker at a branch can often print and sign the letter the same day. Requests made by phone or secure message are usually mailed or emailed, so allow a day or two, sometimes longer. Since most recipients want a balance from the last 30 to 60 days, ask for the letter close to when you need it.
When you can’t wait for a letter
If a seller or agent needs proof today, you have two faster options. A recent statement from online banking shows your ending balance, though it also shows every transaction and may be weeks old.
A proof of funds report is faster still. Connect your bank and you get a report of your current checking, savings, and investment balances, with the date and time they were checked with the bank and nothing about your spending. It takes a few minutes and costs $5.
Getting a letter from a specific bank
We have guides for the banks people ask about most. Each covers where to request the letter and how to show your balance from that bank today.
Bank letter vs. bank statement vs. proof of funds report
| Comparison | Bank letter | Bank statement | Proof of funds report |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long it takes | Usually a day or two | Minutes, if it’s recent | Minutes |
| Shows your transactions | No | Yes, all of them | No |
| How current the balance is | Date of the letter | End of last statement period | When you connect |
| Can be edited before sending | Hard to fake | Easy to edit | No document to edit |
| What it takes | A request to your bank or a branch visit | Download from online banking | Connect your bank online |
| Cost | Depends on your bank | Free | $5 |
Need a letter on bank letterhead instead? Use our free proof of funds letter generator to prepare a draft for your bank.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues a proof of funds letter?
The bank, credit union, or brokerage that holds the money. A banker prepares it on letterhead and signs it so the recipient can confirm it with the bank.
Can I get a proof of funds letter online?
Most banks don’t offer a download for it. You can usually request one through customer service or a secure message, or get it at a branch. If you need something online right away, download a statement or share a proof of funds report.
Does a proof of funds letter cost anything?
It depends on your bank and account. Many banks prepare them for customers at no charge, but ask when you request it.
Can I write my own proof of funds letter?
You can prepare a draft for your bank to sign, and some recipients accept a signed statement from you with recent bank statements attached. A self-written letter on its own usually isn’t enough, because the point is for the bank to confirm the balance.
How recent does a proof of funds letter need to be?
Most recipients accept letters dated within 30 to 60 days. For a home purchase, many agents want something from the last 30 days.
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Current balances confirmed with the bank. $5 per report, no subscription.
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