If you’re approved, before you can sign your Fortify loan, you may need to link your bank account in order to proceed. This helps verify your identity and confirm that you have a bank account under your name.
Here's a detailed guide on how to go through the process with Plaid and link your bank account to Fortify.
Who is Plaid?
To facilitate linking your bank to Fortify, we use Plaid, which is a large trusted financial technology provider. Here's why:
Security: Plaid uses bank-level encryption and protocols to protect your financial data during transmission. This way, we don’t have access to your bank username and login information.
Convenience: Using Plaid streamlines the process, ensuring accuracy and allowing you to complete the application process without having to speak to a person.
Efficiency: By automating the verification of your financial information, using Plaid reduces the processing time of your loan.
If you have questions, please review Plaid’s privacy and security policy at https://plaid.com/legal for more details.
Step 1: Select your bank
Start by logging in to your Fortify application at https://apply.fortifyedu.com/application, and follow the instructions on the screen. When you click “Link your bank”, a Plaid will appear and prompt you to choose your bank from a list of major financial institutions and banks across the United States.
If you don’t see your bank, you may see an option to “Link with account numbers” instead. If this doesn’t appear, please reach out to Fortify support and we’ll help you determine next steps.
Step 2: Log in to your bank account
After you select your bank, you will be redirected to a secure login page that’s specific to your bank's online banking portal. Enter your login credentials (username and password) you usually use to access your bank account online. Plaid ensures that your login details are encrypted and securely transmitted. Fortify never sees your bank username and password.
Step 3: Authenticate Your account
After logging in, Plaid will authenticate your account. Depending on your bank's security measures, this may involve answering security questions, receiving a one-time passcode via SMS or email, or using a multifactor authentication (MFA) method.
Step 4: Grant permission
Once your bank account is successfully authenticated, you will be prompted to grant Plaid permission to access your account information. This access will be necessary for Fortify to verify your financial information securely.
Step 5: Confirmation
After granting permission, Plaid will confirm that your bank account has been linked successfully. You may then return to Fortify's application portal to complete your loan application.
Tips for a successful linking process
Ensure a secure connection: Always use a secure internet connection when logging into your bank account through Plaid.
Check compatibility: Verify that Plaid supports your bank. Most major banks and financial institutions in the United States are supported.
If you have any questions or encounter issues during the linking process, please reach out to Fortify and our support team can help you out!