The fastest way to transfer money into Truist checking

You can move money from another bank into your Truist checking account in three ways: ACH transfer (the slowest but free), wire transfer (the fastest but costs money), or mobile deposit (if you have a check). Which one you use depends on how quickly you need the money and whether you have a check to deposit.

ACH transfers take one to three business days and cost nothing. Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but typically cost $15 to $25. Mobile deposit through the Truist mobile app works only if you have a paper check, but it is free and usually posts within one business day.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers are free but take one to three business days; you set them up through Truist's website or app by entering the other bank's routing and account numbers.
  • Wire transfers cost $15 to $25 but arrive the same day or next business day; you initiate them through Truist online banking or by calling a branch.
  • Mobile deposit is free and works only for checks; you photograph the front and back in the Truist app and the money usually posts within one business day.
  • You will need your external bank's routing number and your account number at that bank to set up an ACH transfer.
  • Truist limits the amount you can transfer in a single ACH transaction; contact your branch or Truist customer service to learn your specific limit.

Setting up an ACH transfer from another bank

Log into Truist online banking or open the Truist mobile app. Look for "Transfer Money" or "Move Money" — the exact wording varies by which platform you use. Select the option to transfer from an external account (sometimes labeled "From another bank" or "External transfer").

Enter your account number and routing number from the other bank. The routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank; you can find it on a check, by calling that bank, or by searching the Federal Reserve's routing number database online. Truist will verify the account information before you confirm the transfer.

Enter the amount you want to transfer and choose the date. You can schedule it for today or a future date. Truist will show you the expected arrival date — typically one to three business days from the date you initiate the transfer. Confirm the details and submit.

The money will leave your external account and arrive in your Truist checking account within the timeframe shown. If the transfer does not arrive by the expected date, contact Truist customer service or your branch.

Using a wire transfer for faster money movement

Wire transfers move money the same day or next business day, but they cost money — usually $15 to $25 depending on whether the receiving bank is domestic or international. You cannot reverse a wire transfer once it is sent, so confirm all account details before you submit.

To send a wire into your Truist account, you initiate the transfer from your external bank, not from Truist. Contact your other bank and ask them to send a domestic wire transfer to your Truist account. You will need to provide them with Truist's routing number (which varies by state; your Truist branch can give you the correct one), your Truist account number, and your name as it appears on the Truist account.

Your external bank will charge you the wire fee and deduct it from your account. The money will arrive in your Truist checking account within one business day, often the same day if sent before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m.).

Depositing a check through the mobile app

If you have a paper check, mobile deposit is the simplest option. Open the Truist mobile app, tap "Deposit a Check" or "Mobile Deposit," and follow the prompts. You will photograph the front and back of the check — make sure the images are clear and the entire check is visible in the frame.

The app will read the check amount and routing information automatically. Review the details to make sure they are correct, then confirm the deposit. The money will post to your Truist checking account within one business day, often the same day if you deposit before the cutoff time.

Truist limits the amount you can deposit per transaction and per day through mobile deposit. These limits vary by account type and history. If you need to deposit more than the limit allows, you can make multiple deposits or visit a branch in person.

What to do if your transfer fails or is delayed

If an ACH transfer does not arrive by the expected date, log back into Truist online banking and check the transfer status. It may show as "pending," "processing," or "failed." If it failed, Truist will usually tell you why — common reasons include a mismatched account number, an incorrect routing number, or insufficient funds in your external account.

Contact your external bank to confirm they received the transfer request and that your account information is correct. If the information was wrong, you may need to cancel the failed transfer and start a new one with the correct details. If the transfer was sent correctly but your external bank rejected it, ask them why and whether they can resubmit it.

If a wire transfer does not arrive within one business day, contact Truist immediately. Wire transfers are tracked and Truist can check the status with the sending bank. Have your wire confirmation number ready — your external bank gave you this when you sent the wire.

Transfer limits and timing to know

Truist sets daily and per-transaction limits on ACH transfers from external accounts. These limits depend on your account type, how long you have had the account, and your banking history. New accounts typically have lower limits than established accounts. You can find your limit in Truist online banking under transfer settings, or you can call your branch or Truist customer service to ask.

ACH transfers process on business days only — transfers initiated on a weekend or holiday will not begin processing until the next business day. A transfer initiated on Friday afternoon may not arrive until Tuesday. Wire transfers also process on business days, but they move faster within that window.

Mobile deposits have daily limits as well, usually $5,000 to $10,000 per day depending on your account. If you need to deposit more, you can make multiple deposits on different days or visit a branch to deposit in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from a credit card into Truist checking?

No. ACH transfers work only between bank accounts and savings accounts, not credit cards. If you need to move money from a credit card, you would need to withdraw cash from an ATM or request a cash advance, then deposit that cash at a Truist branch or ATM. Some credit card issuers also allow you to transfer a balance to a bank account, but this is not the same as a standard transfer and may involve fees or interest.

How long does it take for money to show up after I initiate an ACH transfer?

One to three business days is the standard timeframe. The exact timing depends on when you initiate the transfer, which bank you are transferring from, and whether either bank processes transfers on weekends or holidays. Truist will show you the expected arrival date when you set up the transfer.

What if I entered the wrong account number for the external bank?

If you entered an incorrect account number, the transfer will likely fail and the money will be returned to your external account within a few business days. Check the transfer status in Truist online banking to see if it shows as failed. If it does, you can initiate a new transfer with the correct account number. If the transfer went through to the wrong account, contact Truist immediately — they may be able to recover the funds, but this is not may provide.

Do I need to set up the external account as a "linked account" before I can transfer money?

Most banks, including Truist, require you to verify the external account before you can transfer money to it. This verification usually happens automatically when you enter the routing and account numbers — Truist sends a small test deposit to confirm the account exists and belongs to you. Once verified, the account stays linked and you can transfer to it again without re-verifying.

Can I transfer money from Truist to another bank using the same method?

Yes. The process is similar but reversed — you initiate the transfer from Truist and send money out to an external account. You will need the external account's routing number and account number. ACH transfers out of Truist also take one to three business days and are free. Wire transfers out of Truist cost money but arrive faster.