What to Keep Visible on a Bank Statement
The definitive guide to redacting bank statements. What to show vs. hide for every common scenario—landlords, lenders, employers, visas, and more.
Bank statements contain a surprising amount of sensitive information: your account number, routing number, balance, and a detailed record of everywhere you spend money. When someone asks for your statements, you rarely need to share all of it.
This guide breaks down exactly what to show and what to hide for every common scenario.
Universal Rules (Apply to Every Situation)
- Full account number — Show last 4 digits only
- Routing number — Never needed for verification
With your account and routing numbers, someone can set up unauthorized ACH withdrawals from your account. There's virtually no legitimate reason for a landlord, employer, or lender to have your full routing number.
By Use Case
🏠 Rental / Apartment Application
Landlords want to verify you can afford rent. They typically need to see 2-3x monthly rent in income.
✓ KEEP VISIBLE
- Your name
- Bank name and logo
- Statement period dates
- Recurring deposits (income)
- Ending balance
- Last 4 of account #
✗ REDACT
- Full account number
- Routing number
- Transaction details
- Merchant names
- Withdrawal amounts
💡 Some landlords may also ask for specific large deposits to be explained—you can keep those visible while hiding regular transactions.
🏦 Mortgage / Loan Application
Lenders need more detail than landlords. For initial applications, partial redaction works. Final underwriting may require full statements.
✓ KEEP VISIBLE
- Your name
- Bank name
- Statement dates
- All deposits
- Running balance
- Ending balance
✗ REDACT (INITIAL APP)
- Full account number
- Routing number
- Some transaction detail
⚠️ For final underwriting, lenders often require unredacted statements. Ask your loan officer what's needed at each stage.
💼 Employment / Background Check
If an employer asks for bank statements (uncommon), it's usually to verify income for a job requiring proof of financial stability.
✓ KEEP VISIBLE
- Your name
- Bank name
- Statement dates
- Salary deposits
- Ending balance
✗ REDACT
- Full account number
- Routing number
- All transactions
- All merchant names
💡 Pay stubs or W2s are usually better for employment verification. Ask if those would work instead.
✈️ Visa / Immigration (to Consultant)
When sharing with immigration consultants or attorneys—not the embassy itself. (Embassies typically require unredacted statements.)
✓ KEEP VISIBLE
- Your name
- Bank name
- Statement dates
- Deposits
- Balances
✗ REDACT
- Full account number
- Routing number
- Transaction details
⚠️ For direct embassy submission, do not redact. See our visa application guide for details.
💰 Proof of Funds (Cash Purchase)
For cash offers on real estate, vehicles, or other large purchases where the seller needs to confirm you have funds.
✓ KEEP VISIBLE
- Your name
- Bank name
- Statement date
- Current balance
✗ REDACT
- Full account number
- Routing number
- All transactions
- Other account balances
💡 Only show enough to prove you can afford the purchase. No need to reveal your total net worth.
Anatomy of a Bank Statement
Here's what's typically on a bank statement and the risk level of each:
Header Information
- Your name and address: Low risk — usually needed for identification
- Account number: HIGH RISK — show last 4 only
- Routing number: HIGH RISK — always redact
- Statement period: Low risk — keep visible
- Bank name/logo: Low risk — keep visible
Summary Section
- Beginning balance: Medium risk — context-dependent
- Total deposits: Low risk — often needed for income proof
- Total withdrawals: Medium risk — may reveal spending patterns
- Ending balance: Low-Medium risk — often needed
Transaction Detail
- Deposit amounts: Low risk — usually needed for income verification
- Deposit sources (employer names): Low risk — can confirm employment
- Withdrawal amounts: Medium risk — reveals spending
- Merchant names: MEDIUM-HIGH RISK — reveals personal habits
- Transaction dates: Low risk — context for timeline
- Check numbers: Medium risk — can be redacted
Special Considerations
Large or Unusual Deposits
If you have large deposits that weren't regular income (tax refund, gift, sale of property), be prepared to explain them. Lenders and sometimes landlords ask about these to ensure the money isn't a loan that would affect your debt-to-income ratio.
Multiple Accounts
If you have multiple accounts and only need to share one, make sure statements from other accounts aren't included. Some banks combine accounts on statements.
Joint Accounts
If the account is joint, both names appear. You may want to inform the other account holder before sharing even redacted statements.
What If They Won't Accept Redacted Statements?
Options if someone insists on full, unredacted statements:
- Ask why: "What specific information do you need that isn't visible?"
- Offer alternatives: Bank verification letter, proof of balance letter
- Ask about security: "How will my statements be stored and protected?"
- Decide if it's worth it: Weigh the risk against the opportunity
For legitimate major transactions (home purchase, major loan), you may need to provide full statements at some point. But for initial screenings, redacted versions should suffice.
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