The fastest way to fund your Discover savings account
You can transfer money into your Discover savings account from another bank account using external transfer, which takes one to three business days. Discover also lets you move money between your own Discover accounts instantly, and you can deposit checks or cash through their mobile app or by mail. The method you choose depends on where your money is now and how quickly you need it available.
Most people use external transfer because they already have a checking account elsewhere. You'll need your other bank's routing number and your account number there, plus you'll authorize Discover to pull the funds. The transfer clears within the timeframe your sending bank publishes—usually one to three business days, though some banks take longer.
Key Takeaways
- External transfer from another bank takes one to three business days and requires your other bank's routing and account numbers.
- Transfers between your own Discover accounts happen instantly and don't require any setup beyond having both accounts open.
- You can deposit checks through the Discover mobile app using mobile check deposit, which typically clears within one business day.
- Wire transfers into Discover are possible but cost money and are slower than external transfer for most situations.
- Discover does not accept cash deposits directly, but you can deposit cash at a partner bank or ATM network if available in your area.
Setting up an external transfer from your other bank
Log into your Discover account online or in the mobile app and look for "Transfer Money" or "Add External Account." You'll enter your other bank's routing number and your account number there. Discover will verify the account by depositing two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) into that account, then asking you to confirm the amounts. This verification step takes one to two business days.
Once verified, you can initiate a transfer from Discover's side. You'll specify the amount and choose whether to pull from your other bank or push from Discover—most people pull from their existing bank because they already know how to log in there. The transfer itself takes one to three business days depending on your other bank's processing speed. Some banks are faster than others; if your bank is part of the Federal Reserve's FedNow network, transfers may be same-day, but Discover's timeline is still one to three business days.
Keep in mind that Discover may limit how much you can transfer in a single transaction or per day. Check your account settings or contact Discover to confirm the limits that apply to you.
Moving money between your own Discover accounts instantly
If you have multiple Discover accounts—such as a checking account and a savings account, or two savings accounts—you can transfer between them immediately without waiting. Log into your Discover account, select "Transfer Money," and choose the account you want to send from and the account you want to send to. The money appears in your destination account right away.
This is the fastest option if you already have funds in another Discover account. There are no fees, no verification steps, and no daily limits on these internal transfers. You can move money back and forth as often as you need.
Depositing checks through your phone
Discover's mobile app includes mobile check deposit, which lets you photograph the front and back of a check and submit it for deposit. Open the app, select "Deposit a Check," take clear photos of both sides, enter the check amount, and confirm. The check typically clears within one business day, though Discover may hold it longer if the amount is unusually large or if the check is from an unfamiliar source.
You don't need to mail the check or visit a branch. After you submit it through the app, you should destroy the original check by writing "DEPOSITED" on it and keeping it for your records, or shredding it. Do not deposit the same check twice.
Mobile check deposit works for personal checks, business checks, and government checks. It does not work for starter checks, two-party checks, or checks that are post-dated (dated in the future).
Mailing a check or using wire transfer
You can mail a check directly to Discover at the address listed in your account settings or on their website. Write your account number on the back of the check. Mail takes five to seven business days to arrive, plus one to two business days for Discover to process it, so this method is slow and best used only if other options are not available.
Wire transfer is also possible but costs money—typically $15 to $25 depending on whether your sending bank charges a fee—and takes one to two business days. Wire transfer is faster than mailing a check but slower and more expensive than external transfer. Use wire transfer only if you need funds urgently and external transfer is not an option, or if your sending bank requires it for some reason.
What to do if you don't have access to your other bank's information
If you can't log into your other bank account or don't have the routing number, you can find the routing number by searching online for "[Bank Name] routing number" or by calling the bank directly. The routing number is also printed on the bottom left of your checks if you have them.
If you've lost access to your other bank account entirely, you'll need to regain access before you can transfer. Contact that bank's customer service to reset your password or verify your identity. Once you can log in again, you can proceed with external transfer.
If your money is in cash and you don't have a bank account to transfer from, you can open a checking account at most banks or credit unions within a day or two, deposit the cash there, and then transfer to Discover. This adds time but is often the only option for cash.
Understanding transfer timing and holds
External transfers typically take one to three business days, but the exact timeline depends on your sending bank, not Discover. Some banks process transfers same-day or next-day; others take the full three days. Check your sending bank's transfer policy if you need funds by a specific date.
Once the transfer arrives in your Discover account, the money is usually available immediately. Discover does not typically place holds on incoming transfers from verified external accounts. However, if the transfer amount is very large or if Discover suspects fraud, they may hold the funds for one to two business days while they investigate.
Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays. A transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from a credit card to my Discover savings account?
No. You can only transfer from a bank account or deposit account, not from a credit card. If you need to move money from a credit card, you would need to pay off the card first using a bank account, then transfer that money to Discover.
What happens if I enter the wrong account number during transfer?
If you enter an incorrect account number, the transfer will likely be rejected by the receiving bank and returned to Discover within a few business days. The money will go back to your source account. If the transfer somehow goes to the wrong account, contact Discover immediately and they can work with the receiving bank to recover the funds, though this process can take weeks.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer into Discover savings?
Discover may limit the amount per transaction or per day for external transfers. Internal transfers between your own Discover accounts have no limits. Check your account settings or contact Discover to confirm the limits that apply to you.
Do I pay a fee to transfer money into Discover?
No. Discover does not charge a fee for incoming external transfers or internal transfers between your own accounts. Your sending bank may charge a fee for outgoing transfers, but Discover does not. Wire transfers may incur a fee from your sending bank.
Can I set up automatic recurring transfers to Discover?
Yes. Once you've verified an external account, you can usually set up automatic transfers on a schedule—weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or on a date you choose. Log into your Discover account and look for "Recurring Transfer" or "Automatic Transfer" options.