Help grow your small business with Venmo: Business profiles are officially available for all sellers

Last July, we shared the news of a new tool piloting on Venmo that allowed sole proprietors and casual sellers to sign up for a business profile on Venmo to accept payments for goods and services. 

Today, we are excited to share that business profiles are now officially available for all small businesses, including sole proprietors and casual sellers, to create a profile directly from the Venmo app. Businesses can now get discovered, organize their business transactions and easily accept payments from customers touch free, all while leveraging the same social experience nearly 70 million Venmo customers enjoy when using the app with friends and family today. Creating a business profile also allows you to keep your business transactions separate from your personal ones, as you can seamlessly switch between profiles in the app, all with the same login. 

More than 150,000 businesses have already signed up for a profile to help grow their business ranging from professional services, artists, real estate services, personal trainers, beauty shops and more. 

To further facilitate payments and support small businesses, Venmo is waiving seller transaction fees until April 1, 2021.*  

Sign up for a business profile by tapping your profile picture in the app or clicking on the menu icon. You can also find more information about how a business profile can help you grow your business here or by following Venmo on Instagram or Twitter for updates. If you already have a business profile and have questions, we encourage you to visit the Help Center. 

* After April 1, 2021, business profiles will be charged 1.9% + $0.10 per transaction they receive. Fees subject to change. Other fees may apply. 

Available Now - Get the Most out of Venmo with the Venmo Credit Card

Today, we’re excited to announce that the Venmo Credit Card is available for all eligible Venmo customers to apply, straight from the Venmo app!

Venmo’s first-ever credit card, issued by Synchrony and powered by the Visa network, officially launched last October to select customers, and now we’re excited to expand availability to allow more of Venmo’s community of customers to apply for the no annual fee card.* With the Venmo Credit Card, you’ll be able to unlock a new and exciting way to access the simplicity, convenience and fun of Venmo in your everyday life. The Venmo Credit Card can be used everywhere Visa® credit cards are accepted, giving you almost endless ways to use your card to make purchases at millions of retailers worldwide in-store and online.

Why the Venmo Credit Card is a Must-Have

A Card Made Just for You 

The Venmo Credit Card comes equipped with your personal Venmo QR code printed on the front, making your card uniquely yours. The QR code can be scanned with your mobile device to seamlessly activate your card once it arrives, or scanned by friends in the Venmo app so they can send you a payment or split a purchase with ease. Plus, the card comes in five colorful, vibrant designs, allowing you to choose the card that fits your style.

Manage it All, from the App You Know and Love 

You already use Venmo to conveniently spend, share and manage your money – whether you’re splitting a payment with your friends for a shared experience, having your paychecks sent to your account with Direct Deposit on Venmo, or using Venmo to checkout online or in-store.

Now, you can add the Venmo Credit Card to the list of ways you can help manage your finances in the Venmo app. Track your card activity in real-time organized by category, split and share payments, view cash back** earned, schedule payments and more, all from the app. You can even view your 30-, 60- and 90-day spending trends with visuals that help you to see where you’re spending the most, so you can adjust your spending habits when needed and budget for the future.

Rewards as Easy as 1-2-3

We know that cash back is a major priority when selecting a credit card, so we’ve created an intelligent, personalized rewards system that automatically adjusts to your spending. You’ll earn up to 3% cash back** on your eligible top spend category, 2% back on the second highest, and 1% back on all other purchases.** Your top two spend categories adjust each statement period based on where you spend the most, so you’re always getting the most out of your cash back rewards – no opt-ins or activations needed.

Plus, cash back is automatically added to your balance with Venmo, giving you the freedom to choose how to use the funds earned - make statement payments, send money to your friends with the Venmo app, make purchases at online, mobile and in-store retailers that accept Venmo at checkout, or transfer those funds to your linked bank account or debit card. 

How to Apply

Eligible customers can apply for the Venmo Credit Card in just a few simple steps! From the Venmo app, tap the ‘☰’ icon, select ‘Venmo Credit Card’ from the drop-down menu or through Settings, and enter your information to complete your application. If approved, you’ll also have access to a virtual card, so you can start shopping right away, without having to wait for your physical card to arrive.

Download the latest version of the Venmo app on iOS or Android to apply today and get the most out of Venmo!

For more information, visit https://venmo.com/about/creditcard/.

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*See Terms and Rates for New Accounts.

**Use of cash back is subject to the terms of the Venmo account. See the Venmo Credit Card Rewards Program Terms for details. 

The Venmo Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.

Calling All Merchants! Trust, Simplicity and Social Connectivity Prevail as Venmo Customers’ Most Valued Payment Tool Features

Venmo started as a social peer-to-peer payments tool for friends and family to split a meal or share an unforgettable experience. Several years ago, we extended its use to our merchant community, offering them the ability to add Venmo at checkout to create a quick, simple and seamless experience. In this time, the community has grown to more than 65 million people who are looking to make Venmo a greater part of their everyday spending. For merchants who are interested in connecting with Venmo’s highly social and engaged audience, and find a way to rise above the competition, the time has never been better based on demand, market conditions and people's interest in transacting with Venmo.

Venmo Customers Want to Pay with Venmo at Merchants Because They Trust the Brand

According to a new study of Venmo customers, nearly half (47%) of customers are interested in using Venmo as a payment method when checking out with merchants, ranging from merchants in everyday spend categories like groceries to those offering clothing, shoes and fashion apparel. The data shows that 89% of customers prefer to pay with Venmo because they trust the brand, it's easy to use and because it allows them to split transactions.

Unparalleled Access to a Millennials, Gen Z and a Social User Base

Another benefit to merchants is built in access to Venmo’s growing millennial customer base. Millennials are a hugely important audience as they are quickly becoming the dominant population, especially in the U.S. - with the most spending potential. According to data released by the Census Bureau earlier this year, more than half of the nation’s total population are now members of the millennial generation or younger. When looking at millennial and Gen Z populations combined, they totaled 166 million consumers.

It's also no surprise that millennials are a primary demographic of social media platforms. Of Venmo customers surveyed, 53% report spending more time on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram since the start of the pandemic and most expect to continue their current usage level of social platforms over the next 6 months. Venmo offers merchants a way to reach this highly social audience through the Venmo social feed, rewards, payouts and more.

A Growing Community of Merchants

More than 2 million merchants already offer consumers the ability to pay with Venmo at checkout. Merchants including Lyft, Uber, TicketMaster, StitchFix, StockX, Hulu, Pottery Barn, Freshly, Amtrak and GoPuff, are all a part of the Venmo community.

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Methodology

In October 2020, we surveyed 2,217 U.S. Venmo customers to gain a firsthand, real-time account of how their demographic, financial and purchase behaviors have changed over time and how Venmo can help them adapt to the new normal.  Survey was administered through Focus Vision. Responses are weighted to ensure representation of the Venmo population by age, income & regional distribution across the U.S.

Cash a Check with Venmo Now Available For Select Customers

We know now, more than ever, many of you are using Venmo to spend and manage your money. Whether you’re sending payments to support friends, family, and people in your community, or paying for essentials like groceries and bills, we’re here to help.  

Today, we’re introducing a new feature in the Venmo app for select customers called Cash a Check with Venmo, to make accessing your money even more seamless. Venmo’s new check capturing feature will allow you to quickly and seamlessly cash checks straight from the Venmo app, without needing to visit a bank or physical check-cashing location, or worry about waiting in lines as people continue to follow social distancing protocols.   

Plus, for people who may have recently received a government stimulus paper check, all fees associated with the Venmo Cash a Check feature for these funds will be waived for a limited time, to enable affordable access to this much needed funding, so you can use it on the things you need most. * 

Using Venmo’s Cash a Check feature from the safety of your home 

The Venmo Cash a Check feature allows select customers to cash checks and have them sent to a Venmo account. Using the fast-access Cash a Check feature is simple – eligible customers in the US can take a picture of the check they want to cash and send it for review using the Venmo app on a mobile device, rather than visiting a physical check-cashing location. Reviewing a check for approval usually takes a few seconds, although it can take 3-5 minutes and in rare circumstances, up to an hour to verify enough check information to make an approval decision.  

If the check is approved, the money will be transferred to a Venmo account in minutes, with the fees associated with instant disbursement waived for all government-issued stimulus checks processed within the Venmo app.  Fees will be waived for a limited time only. Checks which aren’t approved will not be processed and funds will not be received through Venmo.  

To see if you’re eligible and to access the new Cash a Check feature, download the latest version of the Venmo app on iOS or Android and make sure you’re running the latest operating system on your mobile device.

For more information, go to www.venmo.com/stimulus.

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*Limited availability. Terms apply. For more details, visit  www.venmo.com/stimulus and www.ingomoney.com/partners/paypal-terms-conditions. The Cash-a-Check feature is a service provided by First Century Bank, N.A. and Ingo Money, Inc., subject to the First Century Bank and Ingo Money Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Fees and terms apply. All checks subject to review for approval. Unapproved checks will not be funded to your account.  

Introducing touch-free Venmo and PayPal QR Code payments at CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide

With the winter months upon us and the holidays near, we know that many of us are navigating in-store shopping more than we have over the summer. In preparation for the busy holiday season, we’re introducing touch-free Venmo and PayPal QR Code payments at 8,200 CVS Pharmacy standalone retail locations. This means you can securely pay for their items using Venmo or PayPal, without needing to touch a keypad or sign a receipt at checkout, while also being able to access multiple payment methods available in Venmo and PayPal wallets.

The partnership, which was first announced in July, makes CVS Pharmacy the first national retailer to integrate PayPal and Venmo QR code technology in its point-of-sale experience at all standalone locations across the country. The touch-free experience will be available to existing Venmo and PayPal customers, while new customers can sign up and link their preferred payment method usually within minutes.  

To use the new touch-free payment option at CVS Pharmacy, you can simply open either the Venmo or PayPal mobile app and click the “Scan” button and selecting the ‘show to pay’ option. With Venmo QR codes, you can pay using a stored debit or credit card, bank account, Venmo balance or Venmo Credit Card for eligible customers. PayPal customers can pay using stored debit or credit cards, bank accounts, PayPal balance, or PayPal Credit. Additionally, we don’t charge fees to the customer when paying with PayPal or Venmo QR codes and those enrolled in CVS’ ExtraCare Rewards Program will still be able to redeem and apply savings using their ExtraCare account when checking out with PayPal or Venmo QR codes.

Find the closest CVS Pharmacy location by visiting www.cvs.com/store-locator. Download the Venmo or PayPal app to pay touch-free in CVS Pharmacy stores today.  

Introducing Amex Send and Split: A New Way for PayPal and Venmo Customers to Send Money and Split Purchases

We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to make it easy for you to send and receive money from your friends and family, whether you’re splitting the costs for food delivery or sending a gift for a special occasion. As we prepare for a holiday season that will look a little different this year, we’ve teamed up with American Express to offer their Card Members a new way to seamlessly send money, split purchases and manage their expenses with PayPal and Venmo. 

Beginning to roll out today, if you’re an eligible American Express Consumer Card Member in the U.S., you’ll be able to access Amex Send & Split, a new feature that allows you to send money to any PayPal or Venmo customer directly from the American Express® App. You’ll also be able to split purchases with your friends and family on PayPal and Venmo, and get paid back directly to your Amex Card as a statement credit.

Here’s a look at the exciting features you’ll have access to once you enroll your eligible American Express Card:

Send Money to Any PayPal or Venmo Customer

With Amex Send™, you can send money through Amex to your friends on PayPal or Venmo, making it easy to pay a friend back or send a little something to your loved ones who you can’t be with this holiday. Amex Send also gives you flexibility and more options to choose how you’d like to pay. Check out the video below to see how it works:

Seamlessly Split Any Card Purchase

With the Amex Split feature, you’ll be able to select any pending or posted purchase and seamlessly split it with other PayPal or Venmo customers, making sharing costs for a group gift a breeze this holiday season. You can choose to split the amount evenly or adjust the amount for each individual, and get paid back directly to your Card as a statement credit.

Split requests can be tracked in real-time from the Amex App to see when you get paid back, and you still earn American Express rewards for the purchases you split.

Enrollment is easy. Simply go to the ‘Account’ tab in your Amex App, and select ‘Amex Send & Split’ to enroll and link your PayPal or Venmo account. You can also enroll from Venmo starting Nov 23, 2020.

To find out more about the Amex Send & Split feature, visit here.

Introducing the Venmo Credit Card

We know you already rely on Venmo to manage different aspects of your financial life - whether it be sharing and splitting payments with your friends, shopping at online retailers that accept Venmo at checkout, or having your paychecks sent directly to your balance with Venmo. Now, we’re excited to expand the Venmo experience for our community with the Venmo Credit Card - a new and exciting way to access the simplicity, convenience and fun of Venmo in your everyday life.

Starting to roll out today to select customers, the Venmo Credit Card provides a unique and special experience that only Venmo can offer, allowing you to access all of the Venmo features you already know and love in an easy-to-use card. With a personalized, dynamic rewards system that gives you up to 3% cash back* on all eligible purchases, the card is designed to optimize your spending and cash back rewards. Activity is managed directly in the Venmo app, giving you a seamless and flexible way to track spending and rewards, split or share purchases, make statement payments and so much more. The Venmo Credit Card can be used everywhere Visa® credit cards are accepted, giving you the choice to spend at millions of retailers in-store and online.

A Rewards Experience Personalized to Fit Your Spending. The card provides a unique, intelligent rewards system capable of managing and personalizing your spending habits. You’ll earn up to 3% cash back* on your top spend category, up to 2% back on the second highest, and 1% back on all other purchases you make. What sets the Venmo Credit Card apart is that it maximizes the cash back you earn, automatically adjusting your top spend categories each statement period based on where you spend the most.

Rewards can be earned from eight different spending categories: Grocery, Bills & Utilities, Health & Beauty, Gas, Entertainment, Dining & Nightlife, Transportation, and Travel. Your cash back is automatically added to your account with Venmo, giving you the freedom to choose how you use the funds - make statement payments, send money to your Venmo friends with the Venmo app, make purchases at millions of online and mobile retailers that accept Venmo at checkout, or transfer those funds to your linked bank account or debit card. 

Easily Track and Manage Your Finances. The Venmo Credit Card allows you to easily manage your card and spending right in the Venmo app. Track activity in real-time organized by spending categories, split and share purchases, view cash back status, make payments, manage the credit card and more – all in the app. You can also choose to receive real-time alerts to see when and where purchases are made, and when cash back is applied to your account.

Custom Card, Designed Just for You. If approved, your card will be printed with your unique QR code on the front, creating a distinct card design for each customer. When it arrives, you can scan the QR code via your mobile phone camera to easily activate the card, or have your friends scan in the Venmo app to access your profile and send a payment or split purchases. And with five vibrant, colorful designs, you can choose the card that fits your style. 

Shop Virtually. You’ll also have access to a virtual card, which allows you to shop online anytime - even before your physical card arrives in the mail.

Safer, Touch-Free Payments. The Venmo Credit Card comes equipped with an RFID-enabled chip, so customers can tap to pay at the point-of-sale, allowing for minimal contact, instead of inserting the chip or swiping their card at the POS.

Worry-Free Card Management. If your card is lost or stolen, you can quickly and easily freeze your physical card directly from the app and continue to use your virtual card to shop online. 

Powered by Visa. The Venmo Credit Card offers cardholder benefits including Visa’s Zero Liability Policy[1], which protects cardholders from being responsible for unauthorized charges made with their account or account information, in addition to emergency cash transfers, and travel protection services.

Plus, there’s no annual fee** or foreign transaction fees.

The Venmo Credit Card is now available for select customers to apply using the latest version of the Venmo app and will be available to all eligible Venmo customers in the U.S. in the coming months. Click here to learn more about the exciting features of the card! 

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*Use of cash back is subject to the terms of the Venmo account. See the Venmo Credit Card Rewards Program Terms for details. 

**See Terms and Rates for New Accounts

[1] Visa’s Zero Liability Policy does not apply to transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more detail.

The Venmo Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.

Venmo is a service of PayPal, Inc. (“PayPal”), licensed provider of money transfer services. All money transmission is provided by PayPal pursuant to PayPal’s licenses. PayPal’s NMLS ID is #910457.

The Contactless Indicator mark and the Contactless Symbol are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.

Venmo Launches Limited Pilot of New Tools for Sole Proprietors with the Introduction of Business Profiles

More than 75% of small businesses in the U.S. are sole proprietors, and the current environment is creating significant new challenges for them. For these individuals, we know how hard it can be to connect, market and grow their businesses, relying solely on traditional methods like word of mouth without access to big marketing budgets.

Venmo was designed to be a place where friends and family can send, split and share purchases and experiences. Today, we are introducing a very limited pilot to extend that experience to allow sellers to access the benefits of Venmo’s platform through Business Profiles.

Piloting to a limited number of users today, Business Profiles allows sole proprietors, casual sellers, and users with a side hustle to create an additional Venmo profile to accept payments for goods and services. Whether you’re an artist, selling homemade planters at a craft fair, serving up one-of-a-kind haircuts, selling floral arrangements or mowing lawns, you can now leverage the power of Venmo’s community of more than 60 million users to generate interest, referrals and awareness for your business. 

We built Business Profiles to offer the same social experience you enjoy when using Venmo with your friends and family today. Now, you can accept payments and track and share activity on Venmo – for your own business. 

Here are some of the ways a Business Profile can help you grow your solo business:

• Touch-free transactions: As the world continues to social distance, sellers can get paid for transactions with a business specific Venmo QR Code. Simply print out the QR Code and have it at your point-of-sale for customers to pay you by scanning with their phone. Or send the QR Code directly to your customers via email, text or AirDrop (iOS only) to give them a direct link to your Business Profile.

• Stand out and be discovered: Customize your page by easily adding a profile picture, business URL, description and other important details about your business. Get discovered via the Venmo social feed when customers share their purchases and inspire their friends to explore your products or services.

• Get organized: Switch from your business to your personal profile under the same login. And track business transactions separately for simple bookkeeping.

• Understand your customer: Get access to important transactional insights and information, including number of customers and your customer list.

Business Profiles on Venmo is starting to pilot today to a limited number of users on iOS and will be available for Android users in the coming weeks.* In the coming months, we plan to  build on the experience to make it more widely available. At launch, sellers will be able to access Business Profiles at no additional cost.* 

See the Help Center for more information about Business Profiles. 

* The initial pilot phase is invitation only for a limited number of users. In the coming months, we’ll release additional information for eligible sellers to learn more and receive notifications about expanded availability. Check back at Venmo.com for updates.

*Fees are subject to change.

Note: Article updated 7/30/20 to reflect updated number of active users.

Receive Your Paycheck or Economic Impact Payment Through Venmo with Direct Deposit

We know now, more than ever, many of you are using Venmo to spend and manage your money. Whether you’re sending payments to support friends, family, and people in your community, or paying for essentials like groceries and bills, we’re here to help.

Having quick and easy access to your money is important, especially in times of uncertainty. That’s why we’ve recently started a phased roll out of Direct Deposit on Venmo, so select users can choose to have their paychecks or economic impact payments (stimulus payments)* sent to their balance with Venmo.

Setting-up Direct Deposit

If you’re eligible to use Direct Deposit, for example, if you have the Venmo debit card, you’ll be able to set up Direct Deposit, so your paychecks or tax refunds,** and even government stimulus payments can be sent to your balance with Venmo. Instead of waiting for a paper check, you can access your funds sooner with Direct Deposit, so you can pay Venmo friends or family, help out someone in your community, or shop at millions of online retailers that accept Venmo at checkout, or spend with your Venmo card everywhere Mastercard® is accepted.

Through Direct Deposit with Venmo, we’re not only making it easier to get paid right on time, but you may be able to access your paycheck up to two days early.*** While most traditional banks add a day or two for processing, we help get your money to you as soon as we receive notification from your employer, all without any extra fees.**** With faster access to your paycheck, you can do more with your money, sooner.

Setting up Direct Deposit is simple. To see if you’re eligible, select Settings from the drop down menu in the app and tap Direct Deposit, then fill out your employer’s Direct Deposit form using your Venmo-assigned Account and Routing Numbers, and we’ll do the rest.

Accessing Your Economic Impact Payment Digitally 

In addition, the IRS launched a new tool for people around the country who would like to receive their Economic Impact Payment digitally, rather than via a paper check. This means select Venmo users can elect to send their stimulus payment directly to their balance with Venmo once they have Direct Deposit set up. 

Once you have been enrolled into Direct Deposit, you can receive your stimulus payment into your balance by following these steps: 

1. Log into your Venmo account in the app.  

2. To view your account number and routing number, tap the ‘☰’ icon, and then click on Settings → Direct Deposit, then select ‘Show Account Number’ to see your Venmo assigned account number, as well as the routing number required for the IRS portal.

3. You can enter the account number and routing number listed in your Venmo Profile under Direct Deposit in the IRS tool to receive your payment. 

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*Direct Deposit information can only be changed using the IRS tool if you have not filed your 2019 or 2018 tax return, or if you filed your 2019 or 2018 tax return without providing Direct Deposit information. 

**Limited to Direct Deposit of a federal or state tax refund, where permitted under applicable law. If you have questions about Direct Deposits from a federal agency, visit godirect.gov.

***Early access compared to standard banking practice of posting funds at settlement and subject to your employer providing pay information to the bank prior to payday. It may take up to two pay cycles for Direct Deposit to take effect. Transactions are reviewed, which may result in delays or funds being frozen or removed from your account. 

****The availability of Direct Deposit is subject to your employer sending paycheck information 1-2 days in advance of payday. While Direct Deposit is available at no cost, certain other transaction fees and costs, terms, and conditions are associated with the use of the Venmo debit card. See the Cardholder Agreement and Venmo fees for more details.

The Venmo Mastercard® is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank does not endorse or sponsor, and is not affiliated in any way with this reward program.

Article last updated 08/12/2020

Helping loved ones go cashless amidst COVID-19

We’ve been inspired by how our Venmo community has come together to support each other amidst COVID-19 with payments of goodwill and random acts of kindness. As we continue to navigate the evolving situation, we know many of you are getting used to the new norm of working from home, practicing social distancing, and taking steps to help contain the spread of the virus.

For many of you, this also includes making sure parents, grandparents, and loved ones in your life are taking the necessary precautions to limit their chances of contracting the virus. If they’re turning to cashless solutions to avoid the germs associated with paper money, we’ve created some helpful tips to guide them through the process of signing up and using Venmo securely.

Signing up for an account is easy

Many people who may be unfamiliar with using digital payments might be hesitant to use it because they think setting it up will be timely and complicated. You can reassure them that a new Venmo account can be set up in just a few steps by walking them through these simple instructions. Venmo can be used across Android and iOS devices, all with an easy-to-use mobile app.

Venmo can be used at no cost*

If your loved ones are concerned about the fees associated with digital payments, you can assure them that there are no costs to sign up, payments can be sent and received with no fees when they link a bank account or debit card, and money can be transferred to their attached bank account or eligible debit card in 1-3 days with no fees. If they need the money right away, Instant Transfer allows customers to transfer the money in their Venmo account to an eligible debit card or bank account within minutes for a small fee** (1% fee, minimum fee $0.25, maximum fee $10).

Venmo is safe

The security of users and their account information is always our top priority. To add an extra layer of security, you can help them set a 4-digit PIN and TouchID/FaceID if they’re on iOS. Once enabled, these features will prompt PIN/TouchID/FaceID every time the app is opened, so their account can’t be accessed by others. Venmo accounts are also protected against fraud or stolen funds as outlined in our User Agreement. We also take privacy seriously. Our app includes a pop-up privacy tutorial that every new customer sees when they first open the app to further educate the user on how to choose their preferred privacy settings – help walk them through this.

How to send or request a payment

From the home screen of the latest version of the app, tap the icon in the top right hand corner of the app to compose a payment. Simply type in the user’s name, @username, phone number or email, enter the dollar amount and add a payment note to share what the payment is for. Once complete, click ‘Request’ or ‘Pay’ and the user will receive a notification.

Pay the right person, every time

For those who may be concerned about sending a payment to the wrong person, you can show them where to locate and scan QR Codes from the dropdown menu in the app, so they can easily find the profile of the person they're trying to pay. If they’re with the person they want to pay, they can scan the code directly with their phone, or share the QR code via email, text or AirDrop (iOS only) if they’re in a different location.

Patience is key

We know explaining a new app or technology to someone who is unfamiliar with it might take a little extra time, but be patient, understanding, and open to answering questions, even if they seem silly. As always, if you or your family need any assistance setting up or using your account, you can visit our Venmo help page, send us a message, chat with us in the app under ‘Get help’ from the dropdown menu, or give us a call at (855) 812-4430.

*While receiving/withdrawing money into your Venmo account or using our standard transfer to your bank account is available at no cost, certain other transaction fees and costs, terms, and conditions are associated with other Venmo features. See Venmo fees for more details.

**Transfer speed depends on your bank and could take up to 30 minutes. Fees, limits, and holds may apply.

Bring Your Venmo Feed to Life with New Custom Animated Stickers from Holler

Venmo was designed for sharing experiences with your friends in today’s social world, and the newsfeed has always been a big part of this. Creating long-lasting memories of otherwise forgotten moments like trips, concerts and BBQs in the newsfeed is part of Venmo's magic. Starting to rollout this week, we are excited to introduce a new way to celebrate these experiences with new, animated custom stickers.

Working with Holler, a company that generates expressive visual messaging content (think fun animated stickers), Venmo will be rolling out a suite of original, animated stickers for its customers when paying, splitting, and sharing payments with their friends on Venmo. More than 90% of Venmo transactions contain emojis today, and now there will be new and evolving content from which to choose to help users share the perfect story with friends.

Like our existing emoji recommendations, Holler’s keyword suggestion technology will recommend stickers based on payment notes. So the next time a friend covers a late-night pizza run, you can appropriately say thanks.

We'll be working with some of our customers’ favorite companies to bring custom branded stickers to the feed, which will allow for tailored experiences. Now, splitting a sandwich can become splitting the Veggie Delite® from Subway,

and a trip to IKEA can turn into a visual representation of the time spent roaming the aisles with your roommates to pick out furniture for your new spot…

Finally, we will be continually updating the Holler library with new stickers to add to your payment notes. If you have a great idea for a new sticker, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your idea or sketch to us at holler@venmo.com and it may become a Holler animated sticker in Venmo!    

Keep an eye out for the latest version of the Venmo app on  iOS or Android to start animating your feed!

Now you can earn rewards with Venmo!

Today, we’re excited to give our users another reason to love the Venmo card. We’re introducing Venmo Rewards, a program that offers automatic cash back when users pay with the Venmo card at some of their favorite retailers.

With a rewards program, we know how important it is to make sure it’s easy to earn and enjoy the benefits from the start, so we created a program without any required opt-ins, difficult redemptions or gotchas. Venmo cardholders will automatically earn cash back on qualifying purchases, with rewards deposited directly into their Venmo account so they can use the funds to pay friends in the app, pay merchants that accept Venmo, transfer the funds to their bank account or debit card, or make more card purchases everywhere Mastercard® is accepted in the US.

Rewards also work seamlessly with the existing Venmo app. Users can track the amount of rewards they’ve earned on each transaction in the ‘My Feed’ section of the app, and choose to share the rewards they’ve earned from featured merchants in the Venmo feed.

Venmo’s first-ever rewards program kicks off with exciting limited-time offers, like 5% cash back at Target, 5% cash back at Sephora, 5% cash back at Wendy’s, 4% cash back at Dunkin’, 5% cash back at Chevron, 4% cash back at Sam’s Club, 5% cash back at Papa John’s and more. As offers expire, we’ll continue to add new ones from the brands our customers love. Venmo cardholders can view the current offers that are available to them at any time by simply going to their card settings in the app.  Click here for more information on how and where to earn Venmo Rewards.

 Shop. Eat. Drink. Then, sit back and watch that cash come right back.

 The Venmo Mastercard® is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank does not endorse or sponsor, and is not affiliated in any way with this reward program.

Businesses can now pay their users through Venmo Payouts

For the past decade, Venmo has made it easier for people to pay friends and family, share their experiences, and shop. We’re excited to expand our product to allow businesses to directly pay consumers through Venmo Payouts.

Driven by strong demand and successful pilots from top consumer brands like Chipotle and PepsiCo, we’re introducing a product to allow businesses to connect with our user base through a simple API integration to pay out money. Instead of writing checks, businesses can use Venmo to transfer money through Venmo Payouts for things like rebates, rewards, and more.

To simplify the integration for businesses already using PayPal Payouts, we made Venmo Payouts compatible with the existing integration. Businesses can quickly facilitate payments to customers by simply designating which wallet - PayPal or Venmo - they would like to be paid out to. All the funding, reconciliation and reporting from the current PayPal integration will operate the same as it does today.

If you’re not already a PayPal customer, click here to sign up for a PayPal business account and get started with Venmo Payouts. Venmo Payouts will start to roll out over the next few weeks.

Split the Bill with Our New Amex Partnership

We’ve all been there: splitting the bill with Venmo or PayPal after a meal with friends, knowing you might be missing out on hard-earned credit card rewards points. Starting this month, we are introducing a new feature with American Express that will improve the digital payments experience for U.S. Consumer American Express Card Members using PayPal and Venmo: a new, easy way to split American Express Card purchases with other Venmo and PayPal users.

Whether it’s for concert tickets, a group vacation, monthly utility bills or other shared expenses, splitting the bill no longer means losing out on points. American Express Card Members can now make a purchase and seamlessly request payment back directly through the Amex mobile app, with friends and family receiving payment requests on their linked PayPal or Venmo accounts.

Stay tuned for even more perks. In 2020, we will continue to work with American Express to bring new features to Card Members that enhance the mobile payments experience for PayPal and Venmo users.

For more on today’s news, visit the American Express Newsroom (https://about.americanexpress.com/newsroom).

Need a quicker way to get the money from your Venmo account into your bank account? We’ve got it.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated since original publishing on January 22, 2018]

Having money in your Venmo account is an awesome feeling- it makes paying friends and family that much easier. We also know that sometimes you need other ways to access that money. This week, we’re excited to announce another way for you to instantly access your funds!

This may sound familiar- and it is. Last year we launched Instant Transfer via debit card, allowing users to transfer the money in their Venmo account to their eligible Visa and Mastercard debit card within minutes for a 1% fee (minimum fee $0.25, maximum fee $10). We’ve seen a great response from the Venmo community, so we’re thrilled to now offer Instant Transfer to your bank account within minutes for the same small fee. We also will continue to offer our free standard bank transfer which typically takes 1-3 business days.

The new transfer option begins rolling out today and will be widely available in the coming weeks so make sure to update your Venmo app!

Transfer speed depends on your bank and could take up to 30 minutes. Transfers are reviewed which could result in delays or funds being frozen or removed from your Venmo account.

A guide to Venmo etiquette, straight from the Venmo community

In 2009, Venmo was designed to help eliminate the awkwardness of IOUs by providing a quick and convenient way to split and share payments with friends using only a mobile device. Ten years and more than 40 million active users later, Venmo’s popularity has posed new questions about payment etiquette when it comes to splitting a dinner bill, expenses with roommates, traveling with friends, dating and more.

We’ve gotten a lot of questions over the years, so we asked Venmo users across the country for their thoughts on payment protocol and partnered with etiquette expert Myka Meier to share tips for proper money manners inspired by our community of users.

Venmo lifecycle = 48 hours. For the most efficient experience, send a request for payment within 24 hours of the original transaction. When you receive a request, do your best to pay back the requested amount within a 24 hour timeframe. If for some reason you need more time to pay, send the person a text or email to let them know when they can expect the payment. Which brings us to our next tip...

Don’t ghost your payments! Settle up and avoid the stress of debt. Venmo users agree that it’s appropriate to use the remind feature within four days of the original request, so check it off the to do list and save your friends the hassle of chasing you down.

No surprises. It’s best to discuss all requests and group splits AHEAD of the payment requests, whether it’s for a taxi or a bachelor party. The cost may not be within everyone’s budget and it’s important to allow someone to opt out before sending a Venmo request.

You asked, you pay. When it comes to dating, 63% of Venmo users think the person who asks for the date and picks the location is typically the one who should pay the bill (regardless of gender). Thirty percent of users agree the bill should be split, but unless that’s discussed ahead of time, we do not recommend sending a post-date request.

Timing is everything. If one person picks up the check at a group dinner, it is recommended, when possible, that everyone Venmo the person covering the bill in real time given the larger amount. This also goes for other large purchases such as concert tickets, sporting events, and flights that may be planned months in advance.

Cash gifts are no longer gauche, but increasingly preferred. If someone gives you money on your birthday, then lucky you, but that doesn’t mean you should ask for cash gifts or shoot out Venmo requests on your birthday.

Pay before you fly. Not all Venmo requests have to happen after the fact. If you are the person who has taken on any group trip expenses, it’s fine to request payment ahead of the trip if you’re fronting the payment, but be as detailed as possible when requesting and be sure to have the total amount and breakdown per person available in case someone asks. If you need faster access to your balance to pay a credit card bill or put down a deposit, Venmo offers an Instant Transfer feature so you can transfer your Venmo balance to your bank account within minutes using an eligible Mastercard or Visa debit card*.

Mind your emojis. The average Venmo user checks the app 2-3 times per week and it’s not just for payments, but to see what their friends and family are up to. Be aware that your friend’s mom or your boss may be watching your Venmo activity and your emojis or an inside joke in the payment note may not always come off as intended.

Correct mistakes. If someone sends you a Venmo request for the wrong amount, politely point it out when you receive the Venmo request - you can decline the request and they can send a new request for the correct amount. If someone sends you too much money, send the additional amount back as soon as you recognize the mistake.

No amount is too small. When it comes to requests, 24% of Venmo users believe the request can be between $1 and $5. Some people use Venmo to send small surprise payments of $1 or less just to say hey or thank you to a friend - Venmo calls these ‘penny pokes’ and over 3 million were sent in 2018 alone!

 *Transfer speed depends on your bank and could take up to 30 minutes. Transfers are reviewed which could result in delays or funds being frozen or removed from your Venmo account.

Bitmoji is Now Live in the Venmo App!

We’re excited to share that Bitmojis are now available in the Venmo app!

Now when paying, splitting and sharing with friends on Venmo, you can include your personalized Bitmoji in the payment notes to accompany your Venmo transactions. With the addition of Bitmoji, you have an even more personalized way in your social feed to celebrate your shared experiences with your friends on Venmo.

We are continuing to work with partners to enrich our core experience, while making your experience more engaging and personalized. You already love to include emojis in your payment notes, in fact, in 2018 🍕was the number one most used emoji followed by 🌮 and 🍔 in the food category. Check out the Venmo year in review video below!

Now, the ability to include a personalized Bitmoji gives you another fun way to communicate. To use the new feature, create a new payment or request in the Venmo app. Once you’re on the “Pay” or “Request” screen, tap the Bitmoji icon to connect your Snapchat account. (Fun fact: Snapchat and Bitmoji are owned by the same parent company!). You can also use Bitmoji when you split or share purchases in the Venmo app.

Download the latest version of the Venmo app on iOS or Android to “say it with Bitmoji” on Venmo! 

Meet the limited edition 🌈 debit card

Today, we’re introducing the limited edition rainbow debit card, a vibrant addition to the six colorful cards we launched last year so you can spend your Venmo balance in new ways, like shopping in-store or online.

We’ve seen tremendous adoption of our colorful cards and we know you love the ability to choose the one that best suits your personality and style. Inspired by a combination of our existing card colors, the limited edition rainbow debit card is now rolling out if you’re having trouble picking just one, or want an even more radiant design in your wallet and at checkout.

We know one of the reasons you love Venmo is because you can easily split the costs of what you’re buying with friends on Venmo – the card is no different. Need to add a tip to a dinner bill before you split the costs? Simply select the purchase or Venmo Debit Card charge from your activity page, and add the desired tip directly in the Venmo app. As an added bonus, we automatically calculate suggested tip amounts, so there’s no need to crunch the numbers on your calculator, or worry about under or over tipping!

You can also flexibly manage your balance and spending based on your needs. Use the 'Add Money' feature to replenish your Venmo balance, or turn on reloads (if offered to you) to automatically cover purchases from your linked bank when making a purchase.

The limited edition rainbow debit card is rolling out to some of Venmo’s top cardholders today, and will be widely available on Monday, March 4th. Make sure to get yours fast, as the rainbow card will only be available while supplies last!

The Venmo Mastercard® is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Take your balance shopping with Venmo Debit Card

Today, we’re giving you more ways than ever to use Venmo. You’ve used Venmo to pay back friends, and perhaps to make a purchase in one of your favorite apps or online stores. You’ve transferred funds from your Venmo balance to your bank account within minutes. But what if you could spend your Venmo balance at the new coffee shop down the street? Or at the boutique with those shoes you’ve been eyeing?

Now, you can. Introducing Venmo Debit Card, a debit card for the real world.

With the Venmo Debit Card, you can use your Venmo balance in more places. In fact, you can now use it in most places you already shop, even in-store: Venmo Debit Card can be used everywhere Mastercard® is accepted in the U.S. Low Venmo balance? Add money directly from a verified bank account, so you're always ready to swipe. Plus, Venmo Debit Card is ATM*-friendly in the U.S. for when you have to try that cash-only ramen spot.

We also made tracking Venmo Debit Card activity simple. Card purchases show up in your Venmo transaction history, so you can split with Venmo friends or share what you bought on the feed. For those with Venmo notifications enabled, you’ll be notified on your phone with each swipe. And, we aim to alleviate the panic that comes with losing a card: just a few taps in the app, and boom—your card is disabled.

Thanks to the feedback from our awesome beta card users (you know who you are 😊), we're launching with a fresh new card design in six colors and a slew of new in-app features. We're so excited for you to give it a try. The debit card is now in limited release. Reserve your spot today.

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*ATMs must display the Mastercard®, Cirrus®, PULSE®, or MoneyPass® acceptance marks. Up to $400 USD daily withdrawal limits apply. Transactions at non-MoneyPass ATMs have a $2.50 ATM Domestic Withdrawal Fee. No fee for MoneyPass ATM Withdrawals in the U.S. ATM operator fees may also apply. See Cardholder Agreement for details.

The Venmo Mastercard is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Help Give Back with ALDI and Feeding America® While Celebrating Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is a magical Thanksgiving feast where friends come together to share a meal, imbibe some drink, and remember experiences together.

Over the last few years, Friendsgiving has grown in popularity and people have increasingly used Venmo to split the grocery bill. Based on our number crunching, the term “Friendsgiving” was used more than 25K times on Venmo in November 2016, a 141% increase over November 2015.

To help bring more food to more people this holiday, Venmo has teamed up with ALDI, one of the fastest growing grocery stores in the U.S., and Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, to encourage people to add a new tradition of giving to their Friendsgiving celebrations.

Every time you use the custom-designed Turkey Hand Friendsgiving emoji in a Venmo payment this November, ALDI will donate 10 meals to people in need through Feeding America, up to one million meals.

The Turkey Hand is an ALDI and Venmo custom-designed emoji that brings the spirit of Friendsgiving to your phone. The emoji, inspired by the nostalgic childhood craft, symbolizes the essence of Friendsgiving: sharing and giving.

To activate an ALDI donation with your payment, use the Turkey Hand emoji in your payment note. You can select the Turkey Hand emoji by tapping on the emoji picker or type “Friendsgiving” and choose the Turkey Hand emoji for your payment note.

By creating the first-ever Friendsgiving emoji and teaming up with ALDI, we are happy to help people feed hungry families in America while celebrating the season with friends and family.

Now grab your friends, bring your appetites and and get those Friendsgiving celebrations underway.

Learn more here about the ALDI meal donations to Feeding America