HypersomniacLive: I assume that you mean by linking a bank account?
I had a job where they put our pay on a card, which we could use like any debit card, with the minor restriction that it could only be used in the US. I didn't know anything about paypal, or security, and was worried if I linked my card to PP, there was a chance someone could hack the acct and all my money could be taken, because of the link.
So I transferred $100 directly into PP and then removed the link. You don't need to keep a card or bank account attached to PP, only if you want PP to be able to draw from it. I certainly didn't/don't, so I did it this way. Instead of PP being an intermediary that draws money from some other acct, I put that money directly in PP, with no ability for PP to draw from anywhere else. This minimized my risk, eliminated any possible problems between PP and my card, and also let me buy games and bundles from other countries, like GOG, which I couldn't do directly with my card.
I did this years ago so don't remember exactly what I did. Maybe I charged the 100 to PP, or maybe I made a second acct and paid that one from the first... I don't remember. The point is you don't need to keep a financial acct linked with PP.