Fidelity and Marcus use different banking networks, so direct linking often fails
Fidelity cannot connect directly to Marcus Bank because the two institutions do not share the same backend systems that most banks use for third-party connections. Marcus is an online-only bank owned by Goldman Sachs and does not participate in Plaid, the service that Fidelity relies on to link external accounts. When you try to add a Marcus account to Fidelity, the connection request hits a wall because Marcus simply is not available in Fidelity's list of supported banks.
This is not a security block or a temporary outage — it is a structural choice by Marcus. The bank has decided not to integrate with Plaid or similar aggregation services. That means you cannot use Fidelity's automatic account-linking feature to pull money from Marcus or monitor a Marcus balance inside Fidelity's dashboard.
Key Takeaways
- Marcus does not work with Plaid, the service Fidelity uses to connect outside bank accounts, so automatic linking will always fail.
- You can move money between Fidelity and Marcus using manual bank transfers (ACH), which takes one to three business days.
- To set up a manual transfer, you will need your Marcus account number and routing number, which you can find in Marcus's mobile app or online dashboard.
- Fidelity can receive incoming transfers from Marcus without needing Marcus to be "linked" — the connection happens at the transfer level, not the account level.
How to transfer money from Marcus to Fidelity without linking
The workaround is to use ACH transfer, which is a standard bank-to-bank money movement that does not require the two banks to be connected through Plaid or any other aggregator. You initiate the transfer from either end — from Marcus pushing money to Fidelity, or from Fidelity pulling money from Marcus — and the two banks communicate directly through the Federal Reserve's ACH network.
To push money from Marcus to Fidelity: Log into your Marcus account, go to Transfers, and select "Transfer to another bank." Enter your Fidelity account number and routing number (Fidelity's routing number is 011000015). Marcus will ask you to verify the account by depositing small test amounts — usually two small credits under $1 each. Once verified, you can transfer up to your daily limit, which Marcus typically sets at $10,000 per day.
To pull money from Marcus into Fidelity: Log into Fidelity, go to Accounts, select "Add Link Bank Account," and choose "I don't see my bank." Enter Marcus's routing number (088000024) and your Marcus account number manually. Fidelity will then initiate a small test deposit to verify the account. Once verified, you can transfer money from Marcus to Fidelity on demand.
What information you need to set up a manual transfer
Before you start, gather these details from your Marcus account. Open the Marcus mobile app or log into your online account at marcus.com. Go to Settings or Account Details and look for your account number — it is usually a 10-digit number. You will also see the routing number listed, which for Marcus is 088000024.
For Fidelity's side, you need your Fidelity account number (the account you want to receive or send money from) and Fidelity's routing number, which is 011000015. If you have multiple accounts at Fidelity, make sure you are using the right account number — transfers go to the specific account you name, not to your Fidelity login as a whole.
Write down or screenshot these four pieces of information before you start the transfer. Having them ready prevents you from having to switch between apps or browser tabs while the transfer form is open.
How long transfers take and what to expect
ACH transfers between Marcus and Fidelity typically take one to three business days. The exact timing depends on when you initiate the transfer and whether both banks process it the same day. If you send money from Marcus on a Friday afternoon, it may not arrive at Fidelity until Tuesday, because weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days.
During the transfer, your money is in transit and not accessible from either account. You will see a pending transaction in both accounts showing the transfer is underway. Do not initiate a second transfer of the same amount while the first one is pending — this can cause confusion and delays.
Once the transfer completes, the money will appear in your Fidelity account and will be available to trade or move immediately. There is no additional hold or waiting period after the transfer lands.
Why Marcus does not use Plaid or similar services
Marcus has chosen not to integrate with Plaid or other account aggregation platforms. The bank's stated reason is data security and privacy — by not sharing login credentials or account data with third parties, Marcus reduces the number of places where your information is stored or transmitted. This is a legitimate security philosophy, though it does mean Marcus users cannot use the convenience of one-click account linking at other financial institutions.
This choice affects only third-party linking. It does not prevent you from moving money to and from Marcus — it just means you have to use the manual ACH method instead of the automated dashboard method. Many people find ACH transfers reliable enough that the extra step is not a major inconvenience, especially if they are not moving money daily.
Alternatives if you need frequent transfers
If you move money between Marcus and Fidelity often, consider keeping both apps on your phone and using the transfer feature in whichever app you are in at the moment. Most people find it faster to open Marcus, initiate a transfer to Fidelity, and wait for it to land than to try to force a link that will not work.
Another option is to use a third bank as a bridge. If you have a checking account at a bank that does link to both Fidelity and Marcus (such as Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo), you can transfer from Marcus to that bank, then from that bank to Fidelity. This adds an extra step and takes longer overall, so it is usually not worth doing unless you have other reasons to use that middle account.
If you are moving large amounts regularly, ask Fidelity's customer service whether they offer any other connection methods for Marcus. Fidelity occasionally adds new banks or creates workarounds for popular institutions, though Marcus is not currently on that list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Fidelity ever be able to link to Marcus?
Only if Marcus decides to integrate with Plaid or a similar service. That decision rests entirely with Marcus, not Fidelity. There is no timeline for this to happen, and Marcus has not announced any plans to change its current policy. For now, ACH transfer is the only method.
Can I set up automatic recurring transfers from Marcus to Fidelity?
Yes. Once you have verified your Fidelity account in Marcus (or vice versa), you can schedule recurring transfers on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Set this up in whichever app you prefer — Marcus or Fidelity — and the transfer will repeat automatically on your chosen date.
What if my transfer from Marcus to Fidelity does not arrive after three business days?
Contact Marcus customer service first and provide the transfer confirmation number from your Marcus account. They can check whether the transfer was sent correctly. If Marcus confirms it was sent, contact Fidelity and provide the same confirmation number. One of the two banks will be able to locate the transfer and resolve the delay.
Is there a fee to transfer money between Marcus and Fidelity?
No. Both Marcus and Fidelity charge no fees for incoming or outgoing ACH transfers. The transfer is free regardless of the amount or direction.
Can I transfer from Fidelity to Marcus if I have a brokerage account instead of a cash account?
Yes. You can transfer cash from any Fidelity account type to Marcus using the same ACH method. If you are transferring from a brokerage account, make sure you have settled cash available — unsettled proceeds from recent trades may not be transferable immediately.