The fastest ways to fund your Capital One savings account
You can transfer money into a Capital One savings account through your online banking portal, mobile app, ACH transfer from another bank, wire transfer, or by depositing cash or a check at a Capital One branch. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money to arrive and whether you're transferring from another bank or adding cash.
Online transfers between your own Capital One accounts are instant. Transfers from an external bank account take one to three business days through ACH, while wire transfers arrive the same day but cost money. Cash and check deposits at a branch post immediately if you deposit before the branch closes.
Key Takeaways
- Transfers between your own Capital One accounts through the app or website happen instantly and cost nothing.
- ACH transfers from another bank take one to three business days and are free, but you must add the external bank account first through verification.
- Wire transfers arrive the same day but typically cost $10 to $25 and require you to provide your Capital One account and routing number to the sending bank.
- Cash and check deposits at a Capital One branch post immediately during business hours, and checks may take an additional one to two business days to clear.
- Mobile check deposit through the Capital One app lets you photograph a check and send it without visiting a branch, though it takes one to two business days to post.
Transferring from another Capital One account you own
If you already have multiple accounts at Capital One, moving money between them is the simplest option. Log into your Capital One online banking portal or open the Capital One mobile app, select the account you want to transfer from, and choose "Transfer Money" or "Move Money Between Accounts."
Select your savings account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer posts instantly—you will see the money in your savings account right away. There is no fee for transfers between your own Capital One accounts, and you can do this as many times as you want.
ACH transfers from another bank
An ACH transfer is an electronic movement of money from a bank account at a different institution to your Capital One savings account. It is free and reliable, but takes one to three business days. You will need to add the external bank account to your Capital One profile first.
In your Capital One app or online portal, go to "Transfer Money" and select "From Another Bank." Choose "Add External Account" and enter your routing number and account number from the other bank. Capital One will send two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to that account within one to two business days. Log into your other bank's portal, find those deposits, and return to Capital One to verify the amounts. Once verified, you can initiate ACH transfers whenever you want.
After you verify the account, initiate your transfer by selecting it as the source, entering the amount, and choosing your Capital One savings account as the destination. The money will arrive in one to three business days. ACH transfers are free and there is no limit on how many you can make, though some banks cap how much you can transfer in a single transaction.
Wire transfers for same-day funding
A wire transfer moves money the same business day, but costs $10 to $25 depending on whether it is domestic or international. Use this method only when you need money urgently, because the fee makes it expensive for routine transfers.
To wire money into your Capital One savings account, you will need to provide the sending bank with your Capital One account number and Capital One's routing number (which varies by state—Capital One will provide it). You can find this information in your Capital One app under account details or by calling Capital One's customer service. The sending bank initiates the wire, and the money arrives the same day if sent before the wire cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. Eastern Time on business days).
Wire transfers are irreversible once sent, so double-check the account and routing numbers before authorizing the transfer. If you make a mistake, you cannot cancel the wire.
Cash and check deposits at a Capital One branch
If you have a Capital One branch near you, you can deposit cash or checks in person. Cash deposits post immediately during business hours. Checks typically post the same day if deposited before the branch closes, though the funds may not be available for withdrawal for one to two business days while the check clears.
Bring your check or cash and your Capital One debit card or ID to any Capital One branch. Tell the teller you want to deposit into your savings account. There is no fee for deposits, and you can deposit as much as you want.
Mobile check deposit through the Capital One app
You can photograph a check using the Capital One mobile app and deposit it without visiting a branch. Open the app, select your savings account, tap "Deposit a Check," and follow the prompts to photograph the front and back of the check. The app will confirm the amount and ask you to verify the information before submitting.
Mobile check deposits take one to two business days to post to your account. The check image is encrypted and deleted from Capital One's servers after processing. There is no fee for mobile check deposits. This method works for personal checks, business checks, and government checks, but not for starter checks or checks that are damaged or illegible.
What to do if your transfer doesn't arrive on time
If an ACH transfer does not arrive within three business days, or a wire transfer does not arrive the same day, contact Capital One's customer service through the app, website, or by phone. Have your transfer confirmation number ready—you will see this in your transaction history after you initiate the transfer.
Capital One can trace the transfer and determine whether it is still in transit, stuck at the sending bank, or rejected. If the sending bank rejected it (usually because of a mismatched account number or routing number), Capital One will tell you why and you can correct the information and try again. If the money is truly lost, Capital One and the sending bank will work together to recover it, though this process can take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic transfers to my Capital One savings account?
Yes. Once you have added an external bank account and verified it, you can schedule recurring ACH transfers. In your Capital One app, select "Transfer Money," choose your external account as the source, and look for "Schedule Transfer" or "Recurring Transfer." You can set it to repeat weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on a date you choose.
Is there a limit on how much I can transfer into my savings account?
Capital One does not publish a single transfer limit. ACH transfers may be limited by your sending bank (often $10,000 to $25,000 per transaction), and wire transfers have no stated limit but may trigger fraud monitoring if unusually large. Cash and check deposits have no limit. Contact Capital One if you need to transfer a large amount and want to confirm there are no restrictions.
What is Capital One's routing number?
Capital One's routing number depends on which state you opened your account in. You can find your specific routing number in the Capital One app under account details, on your checks if you have a checking account, or by calling Capital One customer service. Do not use a generic routing number you find online—use the one Capital One provides for your account.
Can I transfer money from a credit card to my savings account?
No. You cannot transfer money directly from a Capital One credit card to a savings account. You would need to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (which incurs a cash advance fee), then deposit that cash into your savings account. This is expensive and not recommended.
How long does it take for a check to clear after I deposit it?
The check posts to your account the same day or next business day, but the funds may not be available for withdrawal for one to two business days. Capital One holds checks to protect against fraud and overdrafts. Larger checks or checks from unfamiliar banks may take longer to clear.